Sainsbury’s has committed to cutting its plastic packaging in half by 2025.
This will include all branded foods packaging, Sainsbury’s brand food and packaging across all of the supermarket’s operations.
Sainsbury’s uses nearly 120,000 tonnes of plastic packaging per year, but the new programme will involve switching to alternative materials, using lighter-weight plastics and making more use of refillable packaging.
The retailer is particularly interested in developing alternative packaging for items such as plastic milk bottles, fruit and vegetables, fizzy drinks, water and fruit juices.
It has said that some of the alternatives will require customers to change certain behaviours, 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.
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.
