France says 'non' to plastic – what's stopping the rest of us?

New Year's Day 2022 saw a plastic packaging ban on fresh produce come into law in France. The country is ahead of others with the eco-friendly move and will phase out all single-use plastics by 2040. So, what's holding other supermarkets back from removing plastic packaging in their stores? The problem often comes down to the checkout.  

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Where does the barcode go?

Traditionally, fresh fruit and vegetables have been packaged to maintain freshness and prevent damage. The packaging also provides a surface for a barcode. But consumers are looking for ways to reduce waste and many corner stores and independent grocers are already selling unpackaged produce. More and more supermarkets are looking for ways to ditch the plastic, while still offering a streamlined checkout experience for all their products.  

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How to check out fresh produce, plastic-free

Tiliter proudly supports plastic reduction initiatives. We're passionate about the need to reduce plastic use in our everyday activities and our supermarket technology enables it to happen in your store today.  

Tiliter's AI (Artificial Intelligence) recognises fresh fruit and vegetables and bulk items like nuts and pet snacks without the need for a barcode. There's no requirement for retailers to attach a barcode of any kind to the product. No plastic wrap or packaging. No barcode sticker.  

Customers, cashiers and picking staff simply place the fresh produce items on the scale. The smart computer vision automatically identifies the item and shows a barcode or product details onscreen. The barcode can be scanned with a mobile phone or handheld scanner or printed off and attached to the produce.  

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Where can you find this technology?

Tiliter's smart AI Scales are available at Woolworths stores across Australia and Countdown stores in New Zealand. They work seamlessly with the Scan&Go mobile checkout solution on the Woolworths app and enable shoppers to check out their fruit and veg plastic-free. You can also find our AI tech at self-checkouts and points of sale at IGAs across Australia and at large grocery chains in Europe.  

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What does the future hold?

Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and other large retailers have joined the Anzac Plastic Pact to make all their plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Spain will ban plastic wrapping on fresh goods by 2023. A Friends of the Earth survey found that 92% of British people are concerned about plastic pollution. And more than half of those consumers think that supermarkets aren't doing enough to tackle the plastics problem. The message is clear — the future of retail is here, and it's plastic-free.  

Get in touch with us today and see for yourself how you can say au revoir to plastic packaging.

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