Ben & Jerry’s is trialling cashless stores. The global ice cream chain is testing payment methods at its newest location, Wellington Airport.

In a first for the brand, the pop-up scoop shop will test cash-free sales for six months.

Stephanie Tannous, Ben & Jerry’s Australia and New Zealand brand lead, said New Zealand’s acceptance of cashless payment systems made the country the perfect place for the trial.

“We are a global brand, we often share our learnings across countries. Following this trial we will collate all our information and share this globally. If it is a success, other countries will use this as a case study,” Tannous said.

The new location is also reducing packaging as it embraces its sustainability mission. Ben & Jerry’s in Wellington Airport has ditched the ice-cream cups and is offering only cones. Certified compostable bioplastic shake and sundae cups are plant-based, not manufactured from oils; napkins are made from recycled materials.

Bert Naber, country manager Ben & Jerry’s, Australia and New Zealand, said “Our social mission lies at the heart of everything we do, increasing our impact as the business continues to grow. Our Wellington airport scoop shop allows us to continue this mission”.

In January 2019 the business announced it would eliminate plastic straws and spoons from its ice-cream stores.

Brands taking sustainability action

Ben & Jerry’s is not the only brand to introduce sustainability-driven initiatives.

The latest move by convenience chain 7-Eleven is putting free coffee in the hands of customers who present their own reusable cup at their local store.

Last year the retailer partnered with Simply Cups in an effort to reduce the number of takeaway cups it was sending to landfill. So far it has collected more than 1.6 million cups through its 200 in-store collection points.

Muffin Break is another brand committed to the reduction of plastic in store. Also in partnership with Simply Cups the popular cafe chain is aiming to recycle 11 million cups.