Trial is expected to lead to a full rollout that will save 20.2m pieces of plastic a year
Sainsbury’s is switching its own-brand twin-pack avocado packaging from plastic to paper in a move it says will eventually save 20.2 million pieces of plastic a year upon full rollout.
Starting with a trial across 77 supermarkets, customers now can purchase the by Sainsbury’s Ripe & Ready Avocados twin packs in paper packaging.
Following successful completion of the trial, a wider rollout is expected to start later this year in stores and online.
The packaging consists of paper with bamboo netting, a solution that is fully recyclable at kerbside.
Claire Hughes, director of product and innovation, said: “Switching to paper packaging across our Ripe & Ready Avocados twin packs is one of the many steps we are taking to fulfill our commitment towards a greener future. The initiative reflects our continuous efforts to help develop more sustainable and innovative packaging solutions and we’re excited for our customers to try out the new packaging in store.”
Coinciding with the launch, the avocado twin packs are available on Nectar Prices, for £1.35 in supermarkets and online, offering Nectar customers a saving of 30p until 25 January.
The move is the latest by the retailer to cut down on plastic usage in the fresh produce aisle. Last year, Sainsbury’s switched from plastic to cardboard punnets across a range of its Taste the Difference berries and cherries, which helped save over 160 tonnes of plastic per year. The move to cardboard mushroom punnets has also saved around 775 tonnes of plastic each year.
