Dutch retailer Albert Heijn has announced that it has enhanced the 'packaging-free' concept at its store on De Savornin Lohmanplein in the Hague.
Last year, the retailer launched the concept, AH Packaging Free , initially on a test-and-learn basis. One year on, Albert Heijn has incorporated a number of improvements to the concept based on information garnered relating to its use, the composition of the range and customer experience.
"Less packaging material and reuse are important parts of our packaging policy," commented Anita Scholte op Reimer, director of quality and sustainability at Albert Heijn. "We believe that packaging-free shopping can become a routine. The improvements we are now implementing will contribute to that."
Improved Concept
The enhanced concept now offers two instead of six metres of packaging-free products, with only the most relevant range.
This will create a better overview and makes the choice easier, according to the retailer.
The products are competitively priced, with the majority at its Prijsfavoriet (low price) level.
Albert Heijn has also implemented a number of technical improvements to make the concept more user friendly.
These include a vibration function to ensure that products come out of the cartridge more easily, improvement in the clamp control for more precise dosing, and the addition of a scale in each cartridge so that customers can see the dispensed amount during filling.
Trial bags have been added as an interim solution because bringing own packaging is not yet automatic.
Read More: Sustainable Packaging Market Set To Double In Size Over Coming Decade: FMI
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