A new pink reusable tote featuring green stripes and the Dish from Waitrose branding is set to bring a little more style to the weekly shop.
Available nationwide from the end of September for £15, the limited-edition bag comes in an exclusive pink colourway. Made from 100% recycled plastic, it is fully recyclable and includes a built-in freepost returns pocket, making it easy to recycle when it eventually reaches the end of its life.
The launch marks a new milestone for the Universal Bag initiative, a global sustainability project led by Anya Hindmarch, manufactured by Solent Group and developed in collaboration with major food retailers around the world. For the first time, the project is joining forces with a broadcast partner to create a unique limited-edition design.
This autumn, your weekly shop is getting a stylish upgrade. Dish from Waitrose, the much-loved entertainment podcast hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett, is stepping out of the studio and into shoppers’ baskets with its own Universal Bag.
Whether you’re picking up ingredients for one of Angela’s recipes or simply stocking up on dinner-party favourites, the Dish edition is designed to be practical as well as eye-catching. The bag is weight-tested to carry up to 12kg and comes in a bold pink shade with distinctive green nastro handles.
But there’s more to the Universal Bag than its looks. Since 2021, the wider initiative has helped save more than 546 tonnes of plastic from landfill – the equivalent weight of around 46 double-decker buses.
Designed to be durable and reusable, the bag can also be recycled at the end of its life. Simply place it in its built-in freepost envelope and put it through a letterbox, where it will be sent for local recycling.
The Dish X Anya Hindmarch Universal Bag will be available from 225 core Waitrose shops across the UK and online at Waitrose.com from the end of September, priced at £15. It will not be available at Waitrose convenience shops, Welcome Break locations, fuel stations or in the Channel Islands. Due to expected demand, customers will be limited to three bags each.
Nathan Ansell, Chief Customer Officer at Waitrose, said:
“As the home of food lovers, we’re bringing the infectious energy of Dish to the weekly shop. This collaboration is a celebration of everything we stand for – great taste, bold style and a genuine passion for food. Whether you’re picking up ingredients for an Angela Hartnett masterpiece or grabbing some nibbles for tonight’s dinner party, you can now do it with a little Dish flair.”
Anya Hindmarch, Founder and Creative Director, said:
“It’s exciting to see the Universal Bag project driving real change in consumer behaviour and contributing to a more circular economy, with more than 500 tonnes of plastic saved from landfill so far. Plastic pollution remains a pressing environmental issue, and working together with major food retailers demonstrates how important collaboration is in finding solutions.”
Tracey Dobkins, CEO of Solent Group, said:
“The Universal Bag is more than just a reusable bag. It’s a thoughtfully designed product that combines style, practicality and sustainability, while being durable enough to become a true bag for life. Our technical and quality expertise means we work closely with Anya and her team throughout the entire process, from development and retailer compliance through to delivery and merchandising. This collaboration is about more than a product – it’s about encouraging better choices and helping to reshape everyday shopping habits.”
About Waitrose
Waitrose is the Home of Food Lovers, offering customers high-quality products and expert service.
Part of the John Lewis Partnership, the UK’s largest employee-owned business, Waitrose has more than 320 shops alongside a strong online business. It also works with partners including Welcome Break and Shell, extending its presence across the UK.
The retailer works closely with British farmers and suppliers and is known for its focus on animal welfare and responsible sourcing. This includes sustainable farming practices at its own Leckford Estate. Waitrose also has around 800 specialist counters across its shops and holds a Royal Warrant as Grocer and Wine & Spirits Merchant to His Majesty King Charles III.
About Dish from Waitrose
Launched in 2022, Dish from Waitrose has grown into one of Britain’s best-known entertainment podcasts. Hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, the show combines food, celebrity conversations and plenty of candid moments with guests from film, television, music and culture.
Previous guests have included Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Dua Lipa, Florence Pugh, Cynthia Erivo, Romesh Ranganathan and Gordon Ramsay. Upcoming episodes will feature Russell T Davies, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, as well as Reece Shearsmith.
Dish from Waitrose has surpassed one billion combined downloads, views and listens since its launch in 2022.*
*According to Waitrose, Dish is the world’s most successful branded podcast based on long-form audio and episode views across platforms including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. The wider figure of one billion also includes short-form clips viewed across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
About Solent Group
Solent Group is a leading manufacturer of reusable bags, supplying some of the world’s best-known household brands with innovative and practical reusable bag ranges.
The company launched its first reusable bag in the UK more than 20 years ago, at a time when reducing single-use plastic bags was becoming an increasingly important issue. Today, Solent Group continues to focus on durable, more environmentally conscious materials and efficient manufacturing, producing more than 200 million bags worldwide.
About Anya Hindmarch
Founded in 1987, Anya Hindmarch is a luxury accessories brand known for combining modern craftsmanship, creativity, responsibility and a playful sense of humour.
The brand continues to explore ways to improve sustainability and encourage greater circularity in fashion and everyday products. Alongside the Universal Bag, its sustainability projects include the I Am A Plastic Bag campaign and Return To Nature.