Kraft Heinz announced today that it is partnering with zero-waste shopping initiative Loop to provide its flagship ketchup product in refillable packaging in the UK.

In a statement introducing the new packaging concept, Heinz said:

“We are very excited and proud to be a part of this revolutionary new scheme with Loop, and this new partnership goes one step further in our commitment to making meaningful progress towards helping the environment. Our iconic octagonal glass Tomato Ketchup bottles will be sold, used, collected, cleaned and refilled in the new reusable packaging scheme, giving the UK even more reason to keep enjoying their dinner time staple with the unmistakable taste of Heinz.”

Jojo de Noronha, Kraft Heinz Northern Europe President said:

“Here at Heinz we are very excited and proud to be a part of this revolutionary new scheme, and this new partnership goes one step further in our commitment to making meaningful progress towards helping the environment.”

The announcement was made as part of Loop’s launch in the UK, enabling consumers to purchase a broad variety of products in fully reusable packaging. Under Loop’s initiative, brands including Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Coca-Cola, Danone, Persil, Jackpot Peanut Butter, Brewdog and Nivea already have, or will soon have products in packaging that can be returned, cleaned and refilled for use.

Loop, a spin-off of waste management company TerraCycle, also announced that it is partnering with supermarket retailer Tesco, which will encourage its online customers to try out the scheme.

In the online scheme, customers order from the Loop website, paying a deposit fee on each piece of packaging which is fully refundable when the empty item is returned, and their goods are delivered by courier DPD in a reusable “tote” container. After they have finished the products, customers can schedule a pick-up of their empty containers – which can be combined with the next delivery – or drop them off at one of DPD’s 2,500 collection points across the UK.

Loop will be responsible for sorting and cleaning the product packaging to stringent health and safety standards, which will be returned to the manufacturer to be refilled.

Tesco and Loop also announced that they are aiming to make products in reusable packaging available in Tesco stores as early as 2021.

Tesco Group chief executive Dave Lewis said:

“Through our closed loop strategy of remove, reduce, re-use and recycle, Tesco has a clear ambition to reduce packaging.

“Our ground-breaking partnership with Loop has been designed to test a new way of helping customers use less plastic and explore the exciting potential of re-use.

“We will learn what works at scale as we develop plans with Loop to introduce reusable packaging into our business.”

Tom Szaky, Founder and Chief Executive of Loop and TerraCycle, said:

“Loop was designed from the ground up to reinvent the way we consume by learning from historic circular and sustainable models like the milkman from yesteryear while honouring the convenience afforded by our single-use consumption of today.

“Tesco is the perfect partner to bring Loop to retail in the UK due to its commitment to sustainability, in combating plastics waste, and its operational scale as the UK’s biggest grocery retailer.”