Tesco introduces UK’s first tubeless kitchen foil to save cardboard roll use

UK – British groceries and general merchandise retailer Tesco has launched what it claims to be the UK’s first tubeless kitchen foil, a move that is expected to eliminate the need for 12.5 million cardboard rolls each year. 

This initiative is part of Tesco’s commitment to reduce unnecessary packaging and is expected to save 330 tonnes of cardboard annually. 

Due to a new rolling machine, the supermarket giant stated that its customers will be the first to use the new coreless product.

The machine enables the aluminium foil to be rolled tightly around a spindle with air vents, which, when pumped with air, allows this foil to be released.

Tesco technical manager Bronwen Williams said: “This new machine has revolutionized foil production, saving hundreds of tonnes of cardboard from needlessly being made in the first place. 

“We are continually looking at ways in which we can cut down on packaging in order to help the environment and hope, after starting with our top selling kitchen foil line, that we will be able to apply this to the rest of our foil range.”

The new cardboard core-less product is possible as the new equipment enables aluminium foil to be securely rolled around a spindle with air vents.

This foil can be slowly loosened by forcing air into these vents, the retailer said.

Tesco previously introduced toilet rolls with twice the amount of paper in them two years ago. The change was aimed at reducing the amount of plastic packaging by almost 70 tonnes, as the rolls are wound more tightly to conserve space or hold more paper.

Additionally, it introduced upscale soft toilet paper and kitchen towels last week that are manufactured from waste corrugated cards, cardboard tubes from toilet rolls, and recycled cardboard from home delivery boxes.

Paper manufactured with this technology requires less energy and water than paper made with conventional tree fiber, the British grocery and general merchandise retailer claimed.

The move is part of Tesco’s 4Rs packaging policy that addresses the issue of packaging waste. The company has cut packaging by more than 4,500 tonnes since 2020.

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