The Co-operative is to become the first retailer in the UK to launch “naked” cucumbers - by stripping the plastic shrink-wrap from whole cucumbers.
This is the latest move by The Co-operative to reduce unnecessary packaging and is expected to save eight tonnes of plastic every year.
The whole cucumbers will continue to be delivered to stores in cardboard boxes that will be lined with long-life Smart liners, which have been proven to reduce any negative impacts of removing the plastic wrap, such as possible moisture loss.
The move to “naked’ cucumbers will not impact on shelf-life, according to The Co-operative.
Kate Jones, head of range development at The Co-operative Group, said: “The Co-operative’s commitment to environmental improvement is long standing, and, as a consumer-owned organisation, our members and customers help set our responsible retailing agenda. Following a 12-week trial, our customers have told us they are pleased to see that we are taking steps to reduce packaging, and are more than happy to buy their cucumbers without the usual plastic wrap.”
The Co-operative was the first retailer to run a successful minimisation programme with WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme), when it succeeded in removing the cardboard carton from own-label tomato puree, which is now sold in stand-up tubes to save a considerable amount of cardboard.
The stripped whole cucumbers will hit the shelves from October 1.
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