A Plastic-Free Aisle is being recreated at the Packaging Innovations2018 conference in London today, as environmental group A Plastic Planet looks to spark a shift toward plastic-free shopping across the UK and Europe.
The aislewillbe stocked with everyday items, including tea, coffee, chocolate, dairy, bread and meatpackaged in innovative non-plastic materials, including wood, cellulose and plant pulp, compostable materials and traditional materials like glass, metal and cardboard.
The products will bearA Plastic Planet’sPlastic Free Consumer Trust mark, which was adopted by supermarket chains Iceland and Ekoplaza earlier this year andis now set to be taken on by global brands.
“Showcasing theaisle here in London is another step in proving to major brands that plastic-free packaging is possible and it is time they showed leadership in being part of the solution rather than part of the problem,” said Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet.
“So much of thedebateon plastic pollutionscandalouslyblames the consumerfor buying food and drink products laden in plastic,” she explained.“The reality is that shoppers buy what they are sold. Despite the fact the public have been highly vocal about wanting to change, they are still given little choice. Almost all retailers continue to use indestructible plastic packaging; useful for days, lasting for centuries.A Plastic Free Aisle changes all that.”
“40percentof all plastic is used just forpackaging,” said Sutherland. “Reducing this will have a massivelypositive impact on our oceans, our soil and on the health of future generations.We implore industry to wake up, acknowledge that recycling isn’t the answer and start to turn off the plastic tap.”
