- Available from the end of September nation-wide priced at £15
- Exclusive pink colourway, 100% recycled plastic, fully recyclable, and featuring a built-in freepost returns pocket.
- Marking a brand-new milestone for the Universal Bag initiative, a unique iteration has been crafted exclusively for a broadcast partner.
This Autumn, your weekly dinner party invitation just got a whole lot more stylish. Dish from Waitrose, which has become one of Britain's defining entertainment podcasts, hosted by the incomparable Nick Grimshaw and Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett, is stepping out of the studio and into your shopping basket to join the Universal Bag initiative; a global sustainability project led by Anya Hindmarch, manufactured by the Solent Group and together with major food retailers worldwide. In a partnership that is a first of its kind for the ambitious project, we’ve joined forces to create a limited-edition accessory that’s as much a conversation starter as the podcast itself.
The Universal Bag is the next generation of reusable bag, a recycled and recyclable shopping bag that is designed to take everything, everywhere. Whether you’re grabbing ingredients for one of Angela’s legendary recipes or just stocking up on dinner party nibbles, it’s weight tested to up to 12kg allowing plenty of capacity for all the essentials. The Dish edition comes in a punchy pink with green nastro handles.
It’s not just aesthetics. The Universal Bag is also a sustainability powerhouse. Since 2021, this collaborative project has saved over 546 tonnes of plastic (the weight of 46 double-decker buses) from landfill. It’s durable, desirable, and circular. When it eventually reaches the end of its very long life, you simply pop it in its own built-in freepost envelope and post it through a letterbox to be 100% recycled locally.
The Dish X Anya Hindmarch Universal Bag will be available at 225 core Waitrose shops nationally and online at Waitrose.com from the end of September and will be priced at £15. They will not be available in Waitrose convenience shops, Welcome Break locations, fuel stations or the Channel Islands. Due to the expected high demand, purchases will be limited to three per customer.
Nathan Ansell, Chief Customer Officer at Waitrose, says: “As the home of food lovers we're bringing the infectious energy of Dish to your weekly shop. This collaboration is a love letter to everything we stand for: great taste, bold style, and a serious passion for food. Whether you’re sourcing ingredients for an Angela Hartnett masterpiece or grabbing nibbles for tonight's dinner party, now you can do it with proper Dish flair.”
Anya Hindmarch, Founder and Creative Director, comments: “It’s exciting to see the Universal Bag project is truly driving change in consumer behaviour, and contributing to a circular economy, with over 500 tonnes of plastic saved from landfill so far. Plastic pollution remains a pressing environmental issue but working together with major global food retailers shows the solution must be collaborative.”
Tracey Dobkins, CEO Solent Group, comments: “The Universal Bag is more than a reusable bag, it’s a thoughtfully designed solution that combines style, practicality, and sustainability, with durability that truly makes it a bag for life. Drawing on our technical and quality expertise, we work closely with Anya and her team throughout our manufacturing process, from development and retailer compliance through to delivery and merchandising – this collaboration isn’t just about a product; it’s about reshaping behaviours and encouraging better choices.”
Notes to Editors
About Waitrose
Waitrose is the Home of Food Lovers, serving customers with exceptional quality products and expert service.
Part of the John Lewis Partnership - the UK's largest employee-owned business - Waitrose has over 320 shops and a strong online business. It also has agreements with brands like Welcome Break and Shell, further bolstering its local footprint.
It works closely with British farmers and suppliers, and is a market-leader for animal welfare and responsible sourcing - using sustainable farming methods, including its very own farm, the Leckford Estate. Waitrose has 800 specialist counters across its shops, and holds a Royal Warrant as Grocer and Wine & Spirits Merchant to His Majesty King Charles 111.
About Dish from Waitrose
Since launching in 2022, Dish from Waitrose has become one of Britain's defining entertainment podcasts, renowned for bringing together world-class food with candid, unfiltered conversations featuring some of the biggest names in 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, with forthcoming episodes featuring; Russell T Davies, Alison Hammond & Noel Fielding, and Reece Shearsmith.
Dish from Waitrose is the world's most successful branded podcast, surpassing one billion combined downloads, views and listens since launching in 2022.*
*Most popular branded podcast based on long form audio and views of the episodes (across podcast platforms such as Apple, Spotify, and views on YouTube)
One billion views, downloads and listens based on long form audio and views of the episodes (across podcast platforms such as Apple, Spotify, and views on YouTube) plus short form views of clips from the show (across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook).
About Solent Group
Leading manufacturer of reusable bags supplying the market’s most influential household brands with innovative and industry pioneering portfolios. We are the original reusable bag company launching the first reusable bag within the UK over 20 years ago when the requirement to minimise single use plastic bags was as relevant as it is today. The use of earth friendly and durable materials married with efficient construction techniques has ensured we continue to lead from the forefront, producing over 200 million bags globally.
About Anya Hindmarch
Anya Hindmarch is a luxury accessories brand founded in 1987. Modern craftsmanship, creativity, responsibility, a touch of humour and personalisation sit at the heart of everything the brand does. The brand shows an ongoing commitment to improving sustainability and focusing on the circularity of materials, alongside the Universal Bag, current projects include the I Am A Plastic Bag campaign and the Return To Nature project.
For further information, please contact:
- Laura Macey: [email protected]
- Cameron Addison: [email protected]
