UK – British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has unveiled its intentions to shift its in-house mushroom punnet packaging from plastic to a more sustainable cardboard alternative.
This shift is anticipated to avert the production of over 775 tonnes of plastic annually, accounting for more than 52 million individual plastic pieces each year.
This transition will encompass all 13 varieties of Sainsbury’s own-brand mushrooms, encompassing closed cup, whole baby button, organic, and chestnut, slated for completion by month’s end.
Alongside the cardboard punnets, the accompanying film packaging will also be made recyclable at Sainsbury’s flexible plastics recycling points, accessible in all of the chain’s supermarkets.
This initiative aligns with the supermarket giant’s broader commitment to champion sustainability throughout its operations.
Sainsbury’s proudly asserts its status as the inaugural UK supermarket implementing this widespread change across all stores.
Notably, its ‘bySainsbury’s’ and ‘SO Organic’ mushrooms are already available in the sustainable cardboard packaging format.
Claire Hughes, Sainsbury’s Product and Innovation Director, expressed, “Aligned with our Plan for Better commitments, we aim to diminish plastic packaging within our in-house product ranges.
The introduction of cardboard punnets for our own-brand mushrooms exemplifies our dedication to forging a healthier, more sustainable future.
It underscores our ongoing pursuit of innovative packaging solutions, striving to curtail and supplant plastic wherever feasible.”
This recent packaging transformation follows a sequence of plastic reduction endeavors by the retailer, notably including endeavors to eliminate plastic from its own-brand toilet and kitchen rolls.
This strategic move is estimated to conserve approximately 485 tonnes of plastic per annum, as reported by the company.
Last March, the supermarket chain introduced sustainable packaging for its in-house liquid laundry detergent. This innovative rollout, spanning all stores and online platforms, aimed to empower customers in reducing plastic usage at home.
The transformation involves a shift from sleeved plastic bottles to cardboard cartons for all of its own-brand 750ml laundry detergents.
Available across various lines including the tropical super concentrated, bio super concentrated, non-bio super concentrated, color super concentrated, and lavender super concentrated, the new design is set to debut in Sainsbury’s stores and online this week.
Sainsbury’s new packaging, boasting a 35% reduction in weight, stands as an eco-friendly option that can be easily recycled at kerbside or designated recycling banks.
This strategic move is expected to remove 13 lorries from the roads annually and slash carbon emissions from this product range by an impressive 50%.
Moreover, the laundry liquid itself has undergone reformulation, now featuring a super concentrated formula.
This enhancement translates to a reduced amount of detergent required per wash, enabling five additional washes per carton—an advancement that aligns with the brand’s commitment to sustainability and efficiency.
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