Morrisons reintroduces refillable container service at fish and meat counters

The supermarket giant originally introduced the refillable container scheme in 2018, but it has been put on hold during the pandemic.

Employees working on Morrisons’ butchers, fishmongers and deli counters will now ask customers if they have brought their own container to be refilled, rather than automatically putting products into single-use packaging.

The initiative is available in all stores and allows customers to bring their own containers to counters, with each purchase being given a sticky label that is then scanned at the tills.

Morrisons said that if all of its customers used a refillable container for their counter purchase, it would save 2,000 tonnes of plastic a year. The retailer has also been working to remove 900 tonnes of plastic from its butchers and fishmongers counter packaging a year by introducing new lighter-weight recyclable trays.

Reductions on selected meat and fish cuts and deli will be available to celebrate the return of the service, including 8oz rump steaks for £2.50 and pork belly for £4 per kilogram. Morrisons will be selling reusable containers in its home aisle to encourage customers to use them.

Natasha Cook, packaging manager at Morrisons, said: “Reducing plastic in our stores is an important part of our sustainability agenda and it really matters to our customers too. The service was very popular with our customers when it was first introduced before lockdown, and we’re pleased to see it return with some great value deals on our fresh, British quality products.”