Sainsbury’s is trialing a fully compostable wrap on organic apples and potatoes in a bid to cut down on waste packagaing.
The new packaging will be stocked in 140 stores, and if successful will be rolled out across the retailer’s entire estate and entire organic range. It estimates the move will save more than 16.5 million bags from landfill each year.
The new plastic is made from a fully biodegradable and compostable material derived from completely renewable GM free resources.
James McKechnie, Sainsbury’s recycling and resources manager, said: “Packaging represents 20 per cent of waste from UK households of which plastics represent an average 11 per cent. Sainsbury’s is dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of all our packaging and pioneering renewable, sustainable and truly compostable materials.”
As part of its organic standards, the supermarket already packs approximately 30 per cent of its organic produce in compostable and biodegradable packaging with the remaining range in recyclable packaging.
The new move would mean that 70 per cent of its SO organic fruit and vegetables could come in fully compostable wrap by the end of the year.
