Iceland Foods is launching a significant trial that will see plastic and paper bags removed from its online grocery deliveries in a bid to tackle packaging waste head-on.
The Trial: A Shift to Loose Crates
The frozen food specialist has confirmed it is testing bagless deliveries in select regions across the UK. The pilot scheme, which began in West Yorkshire on 10 January, marks a major departure from the retailer's current nationwide policy.
Currently, online customers across the country can choose to have their shopping delivered in paper bags, insulated freezer bags, or reusable woven bags for an extra 30p per bag. However, shoppers in the trial areas will see this choice eliminated entirely.
Instead, orders will be delivered loose in crates. The only exceptions will be for hygiene and safety reasons, where raw meat and cleaning products will continue to be bagged separately. A company spokesperson told industry publication The Grocer that the test in "a number of areas" is intended to enhance customer service.
Following Industry Trends and Overcoming Challenges
If the trial proves successful and is implemented nationwide, Iceland would be aligning itself with rivals like Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury's, which have all removed plastic bags from their online delivery services in recent years.
This move represents a cautious but decisive step for Iceland. The retailer had already eliminated single-use plastic bags from its online orders but had been hesitant to go completely bagless due to concerns about protecting its large range of frozen products during transit.
A Long-Standing Commitment to Reducing Plastic
This latest initiative is not Iceland's first major action against plastic packaging. Back in 2018, the supermarket pledged to remove plastic from all its own-brand product packaging. While the initial target of completing this by the end of 2023 was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and broader industry challenges, the company remains focused on its sustainability goals.
Iceland's sustainability website states the firm is "as committed as ever to finding new solutions," highlighting that it has already removed more than a fifth of the plastic from its own-label food packaging.
The specific regions involved in the new delivery trial and its duration have not yet been publicly disclosed. Customers in the affected areas will soon notice the change as their groceries arrive unpacked in crates, signalling a potential new standard for home delivery across the UK.
