Sainsbury’s pledges to cut plastic packaging by 50% by 2025
Sainsbury’s has committed to reducing the use of plastic packaging by 50% by 2025.
The target includes all branded food packaging, Sainsbury’s brand food packaging and packaging across all of the supermarket’s operations.
Sainsbury’s currently uses almost 120,000 tonnes of plastic packaging per year but this new programme will involve switching to alternative materials, using lighter-weight plastics and making more use of refillable packaging.
The supermarket is particularly keen to develop alternative packaging for items such as plastic milk bottles, fruit and vegetables, fizzy drinks, water and fruit juices.
Sainsbury’s said some of the alternatives will require customers to change their behaviour, particularly for milk bottles where the supermarket is considering the introduction of refillable bottles or a reusable jug with milk in a lightweight plastic pouch.
The supermarket will be working with food manufacturers, packaging suppliers, raw material scientists and the waste and recycling industry to develop the new ideas.
Sainsbury’s is also looking to open source ideas and has introduced an area on its website for customers, staff, manufacturers and other interested parties to submit ideas to help reduce plastic packaging.
Mike Coupe, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “Reducing plastic and packaging is not easy. Packaging plays a vital role in keeping our food safe and fresh and minimising food waste. We must therefore find alternatives to plastic that protect the quality of our food while minimising our impact on the environment.
“We can’t do this on our own and we will be asking our suppliers and our customers to work with us to help us make this important change.”
