Asda is set to use 14 tonnes less plastic a year by doing away with the plastic wrapping on its whole swedes.
Each year, the retailer sells almost six million swedes, and the new policy has been introduced ahead of the root vegetable’s peak winter sales period.
Asda insisted that the removal of the plastic wrapping would not affect the product’s shelf life, which would remain at up to seven days.
The move is part of the supermarket’s ongoing commitment to use less and recycle more plastic, with an initial plan to reduce plastic packaging on own-brand products by 10 per cent by February 2019. By 2025, Asda pledges to make all packaging 100 per cent recyclable.
Nikki Dixon, senior manager for plastic reduction at Asda, said: “We’re committed to reducing our plastic usage across own brand products, lowering our impact on the environment and helping families to avoid plastic waste in their homes.
“Working closely with our British growers to ensure delicious veg is available throughout the year, our naked swedes will maintain their taste credentials, without the need for any plastic.”
