Sainsbury’s has made a huge change to 77 of its supermarket stores in the UK.
The supermarket chain has introduced new plastic-free packaging for its own-brand Ripe & Ready Avocados twin pack in a bid to reduce plastic waste. When fully rolled out, Sainsbury’s says the move will save 20.2 million pieces of plastic each year.
The packaging trial is underway across 77 Sainsbury’s stores, and a wider rollout to more supermarkets and online is expected later this year. The plastic-free avocado packaging consists of paper with bamboo netting, a solution that is fully recyclable at the kerbside.
Claire Hughes, Director of Product and Innovation said: “Switching to paper packaging across our Ripe & Ready Avocados twin pack is one of the many steps we are taking to fulfill our commitment towards a greener future. The initiative reflects our continuous efforts to help develop more sustainable and innovative packaging solutions and we’re excited for our customers to try out the new packaging in-store”.
At the same time, the supermarket chain has also slashed the price of its avocados to £1.35 as part of its Nectar Prices – down from £1.65. The 30p saving will be in place for the next 10 days until January 25. Sainsbury’s – as well as other UK supermarket chains – have been working to cut down on plastic waste over the last few years.
Last year, Sainsbury’s switched from plastic to cardboard punnets for a range of its Taste the Difference berries and cherries. The change will save over 160 tonnes of plastic per year. Alongside this, the chain switched to cardboard mushroom punnets which will save 775 tonnes of plastic each year. Finally, Sinabury’s is currently working to change all of its kitchen and toilet roll packaging from plastic. Once fulling converted, this would reduce over 485 tonnes of plastic.
Sainsbury’s recently launched its “Good to Know” logo to help customers identify products with improved packaging or components, such as those with reduced plastic packaging. The new logo aims to raise awareness and make it easier for customers to understand Sainsbury’s work to support “sustainability, animal welfare, and communities”.
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