Two Foodstuffs-operated New World stores have kicked off a two-year trial of a returnable deli container program, as part of Foodstuffs’ sustainable strategy to reduce single-use packaging.

Led by Bonson Packaging and co-funded by the Ministry for the Environment, the initiative, known as RePlay, has launched at New World Birkenhead on Auckland’s North Shore and New World Metro Willis Street in Wellington.

“The trial is about seeing if returnable packaging can work in supermarkets at scale. We know there’s often a gap between what people say they’ll do and what they actually do,” said Debra Goulding, Foodstuffs’ sustainable packaging manager.

“We’re going to learn if a returnable system can help customers bridge that gap, and whether returnable containers can become the new normal in supermarkets.” 

The RePlay system enables customers to buy deli goods in reusable containers with a tap or scan that is labelled with a permanent QR code through their phone, and can return the used container to the store’s RePlay smart bin.

The trial’s purpose is to learn how many times containers can be reused and to understand the customer return rate, fostering an understanding of customers’ container use psychology. 

“We believe RePlay has real potential because it’s built on a circular business model – packaging as a service using food-grade, durable polypropylene,” said Rodney Bennett, GM of Bonson Packaging.

Earlier this year, New World launched its first reverse vending machine (RVM) at its Birkenhead supermarket.