At Custom Labels Ltd, we’re seeing a major shift in how businesses using QR codes to engage customers and drive sustainable practices. The recent roll our of Polytag’s QR technology with Ocado Retail is a prime example, marking a push for sustainable, refillable packaging and consumer engagement that’s both accessible and impactful.
Ocado Retail, the UK’s leading online grocer, has expanded its partnership with Polytag, integrating their cutting-edge QR code technology across more than 60 products. With just a simple scan, Ocado customers can now access a wealth of product information, sustainability details, and recycling guidelines, making it easier to make environmentally responsible choices.
Following a successful 2023 pilot, Ocado and Polytag introduced a digital deposit return scheme (DDRS) that rewarded consumers for recycling milk bottles via regular kerbside collection. Over 93% of participants responded positively to the program, highlighting the public’s appetite for sustainable shopping solutions. Now, Ocado is expanding the technology to dry foods and household items in refillable containers with Polytag-enabled QR codes, providing information to customers on how to participate in the refill and reuse schemes.
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, said: “Surpassing 60 products with Ocado Retail – including its new refillable options – is a step forward in making sustainable shopping more accessible. By integrating our Digital Link QR codes, powered by GS1, we’re providing new ways to quantify the success of sustainability programmes and enabling the reuse process all through accurate tracing of packaging through the supply chain.
A Win-Win for Sustainability and Engagement
Polytag’s QR codes offer brands a unique opportunity to connect directly with consumers on sustainability topics and recycling tips. Each scan leads to a customised landing page where Ocado can share relevant product information, including sourcing, waste reduction, and usage tips, in a dynamic and easily accessible way. These QR codes also serve as a powerful marketing tool, allowing companies to promote product initiatives and encourage sustainable habits in a single interaction.
As the UK’s largest user of GS1-powered QR codes, Ocado’s efforts with Polytag showcase how QR technology can turn an ordinary label into a portal for sustainability. For consumers, this QR-based interaction means that information on reusability and recycling is accessible in seconds, empowering more informed purchasing decisions.
For over 20 years, Custom Labels Ltd has been a leader in manufacturing high-quality QR code labels that empower businesses to stay ahead of the curve. Our QR solutions began with basic asset identification and fixed URLs, but now we deliver versatile, durable labels that meet a wide range of needs, from security labeling to customer engagement.
We recently partnered with Veloeye, a Scottish startup, to create tamper-proof QR labels for bicycles. These QR codes link to an independent URL containing bike information, including images, descriptions, and locations. Police and owners alike can use this data to track and recover stolen bikes—a great example of QR code technology in action for asset protection and public safety.
QR codes are here to stay, and at Custom Labels Ltd, we make it easy to take advantage of this innovative technology. Whether you’re looking to support sustainability initiatives, like Ocado’s refillable containers, or enhance product security, we offer a variety of customisable, durable QR code labels for every business need.
Get in touch with us today to request your QR and barcode label samples.
Recent Comments