A TWIST on the old- fashioned milkman could help to end single-use plastics clogging up oceans – and save shoppers money.
Instead of milk, everything from fizzy drinks, ketchup, yoghurt, shampoo and laundry detergent is dropped off on the doorstep in glass and metal containers.
And the empties are picked up on the next visit — just like milkmen would collect glass milk bottles when they dropped off fresh ones on their rounds.
The idea will remind many of comedian Benny Hill’s 1970s character Ernie, the fastest milkman in the west.
Tesco has teamed up with the likes of Coca-Cola, Heinz, Danone, Nivea and Unilever, the firm behind big-name products such as Marmite and PG Tips, for the new service launched last week.
Instead of a milkman, the delivery, pick up and cleaning of packaging is organised by “waste-free” online shop Loop.
The “durable, refillable” packaging is brand-specific — so you will still get your Heinz tomato ketchup in its distinctive bottle.
Bosses at Loop say there was little new in the idea of refillable containers, describing it as a modern take on the milkman, offering a much broader range of products.
It’s not just good for the environment, it will make shopping cheaper and let brands come up with fancier packaging.
On cost, take Heinz’s famous glass ketchup bottle. At the moment the whole cost of the glass bottle has to be factored in to what shoppers pay, since they go in the bin after use.
But each time it is reused the cost to Heinz goes down. For now, these savings are outweighed by the costs of drop-off, pick up and cleaning — so stuff is no cheaper. But it will be.
Tom Szaky, founder of Loop, said: “Eventually it will be cheaper for brands, and that will make it cheaper for shoppers. They will be able to do the right thing for the environment and save money.
“Loop is new and it is on a relatively small scale for now in the UK — but we see it growing fast.
“The first week saw more orders than expected. Once more and more families use it, costs come down — since it is always cheaper to do things on a bigger scale.
“For example, lots of customers on one street, like a milkman used to have, is one way scale helps.”
With time, the pick-up and drop off of the recyclable Loop products will be available at physical stores.
He added: “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.”
Brands can come up with fancier or more innovative packaging too — for the same reason Loop hopes prices will fall. Ice-cream brands are working on Thermos flask-style containers that stop their product melting so fast.
The US, where Loop launched last year, gives an idea of what brands can come up with too — in America, Pantene hair products come in a sleek aluminum bottle.
Loop sorts and professionally cleans the packaging so each product may be safely refilled by the manufacturer.
Heinz, which sells 650 million bottles of tomato ketchup globally each year, is launching special bottles of the sauce adorned with the Loop logo on the “circular shopping platform”.
Jojo de Noronha, from Kraft Heinz, said: “We’re turning our iconic Heinz tomato ketchup green with the help of Loop.
Our patented iconic glass bottle is 130 years old this year. It is now ready for refill and reuse time after time.”
Dave Lewis, Tesco CEO, said: “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 reuse.”
Surface is laptop and a tablet
CAN’T decide between a laptop and a tablet? How about Microsoft’s latest two-in-one Surface devices.
There’s the budget Go 2 for those of all ages needing the basics, and the Book 3, which is about the most powerful computer around. Here I put them to the test.
SURFACE GO 2 – £399 plus £100 type cover
A GREAT tablet for Netflix, Facebook or web browsing. And it’s also a tiny portable PC with the additional £100 keyboard that doubles as a cover.
It’s brilliant for work – I have been using it for emails and am writing this on it now.
I can see it being the perfect gadget for kids – including their homework.
The webcam, speakers and mic are top quality, making Go 2 perfect for video chats.
I edited photos but it was clunky for videos with pro software – no shock, given the price.
My builder mate uses the original Go for invoices and as a tablet to show clients his work. He will benefit from the extra speed.
At just over 500g and with a day-long battery I can use it out and about all day.
Like all Windows devices, you can have multiple users – so one for Mum, Dad and the kids. Each is accessed automatically with Windows Hello face recognition, so it opened to my account just by me looking at it.
The Go 2 looks and feels better than the equivalent iPad Air.
But it doesn’t have Apple’s range of apps, and the lack of key TV ones like Disney+ and iPlayer is a blow. You can watch this via a browser but it’s a faff.
The Go 2 comes in Windows S mode, which limits downloads to apps in the Microsoft Store for greater security. That’s handy if being used by kids or teens. It can be turned off easily but not reactivated.
SURFACE BOOK 3 – from £1,999
THIS is the Rolls-Royce to the Ford Focus of the Go 2.
Best screen and keyboard around – powered by the equivalent of a 5-litre supercharged engine – in a device that oozes quality in looks and build.
Press a button and the screen detaches and Windows switches to tablet mode. You can scroll and click on it using your finger or the additional Surface Pen.
If the pandemic means you’re now working from home a lot, do a lot of video editing – or have savings from eating in for months and want to spoil the kids – this is your choice.
VERDICT
Go 2 is a great-value tablet that is also a basic laptop, but Book 3 is a top-of-the-range laptop that’s also a top-of-the range tablet.
GOT a story? RING HOAR on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
