Asda tackles coronavirus outbreak with trolley wash tech
Asda says that it is the first UK supermarket to trial a permanent trolley wash facility.
Developed by The WasteCare Group, the unit is now in place at its Morley store and works by coating trolleys in fine particles containing an anti-microbial solution, leaving them clean and dry to the touch in seconds.
It is water-less, runs on electricity and uses an electrostatically charged mist to ensure that all touchpoints such as handles, rails and child seats are thoroughly sterilised. Asda claims that this form of decontamination eliminates 99.99% of all known bacteria, viruses and pollutants.
A single tank of the anti-microbial solution can sanitise up to 20,000 trolleys, with the process taking a total of 10 to 15 seconds. The unit is positioned at the front of the store to allow colleagues to pass nests of trolleys through and put them straight back into the bay, ready for use.
Graeme Wightman, Senior Manager of Store Services at Asda, says: “We know having a safe and hygienic environment to shop in is something on many customers’ minds right now. This trial uses new technology to ensure trolleys are thoroughly sanitised before use.”
“As the first UK retailer to trial a permanent trolley wash at Asda Morley, we continue to make shopping safely a priority for customers, building upon hygiene measures already introduced like the provision of hand sanitiser for customers in our stores.”