Children show their support for Asda York's sustainable refill zone

The zone has over 100 own brand and branded products, making it the largest supermarket refill offer in the country.

Stage two students from Bugthorpe CofE Primary School, as well as the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of York, Sheriff and Councillor Paula Widdowson – Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change – were at the store to try the refill zone for themselves.

The children learnt about the plastic and waste reduction benefits of refill and filled containers with items such as Kellogg’s Coco Pops and Corn Flakes. They also played a game of ‘spin the wheel’ thanks to Taylor’s of Harrogate, with lucky winners handed goody bags.

As well as the ‘spin the wheel’ game, there will be other promotional activity throughout the month and additional signs by packaged products to let customers know it would be cheaper and more sustainable to purchase exactly the amount they need in the refill zone.

Colleagues will be on hand to help those who might be using the refill zone for the first time, as well as a ‘whoops zone’ where customers can leave their refill errors.

Since launching in October, customers at the Monks Cross store have been able to pick up refillable products from favourite brands including Yorkshire Tea, Kellogg’s cereals and Tilda Rice, as well as an extensive range of Asda-brand cereals, rice and pasta, all sold at the same price or cheaper than packaged equivalents. Shoppers can bring their own containers or buy a reusable container in store for use.

Asda’s Senior Director of Sustainable Commercial Activities, Susan Thomas, said: "It was great to have so many enthusiastic pupils from Bugthorpe CofE come down to ty the refill zone at our Monk’s Cross store.

"Our research tells us that 81% of our customers are concerned about the environment and we are trying to make our refill zone as accessible as possible so customers can do their bit. There is such a huge variety of branded and own brand products so hopefully there is something for everyone and help move us towards refill being part of every shopping trip."

Councillor Widdowson said: "I am delighted to see this fantastic refill offer in York. The more we can do to make it easy, and cheaper, for all of us to reduce our impact on the environment and build a better future for our children, the better."