Waitrose pledges to reduce plastic waste in own-label products

Waitrose has pledged to use more sustainable packaging in its own-brand items, in a bid to reduce plastic waste.

The move coincides with World Ocean Day, with it revealing over 100 tonnes of Prevented Ocean Plastic (Pop) is predicted to be used this year, the equivalent of saving almost four million plastic bottles from the ocean.

Waitrose said it is the first UK supermarket to use Pop across a wider range of its own-branded packaging, which includes fruit, vegetables, health and family.

According to the retailer it is working towards its commitment for a minimum of 30 per cent recycled content in plastics, using Pop where possible.

READ MORE: Waitrose trials sustainable packaging for strawberries

“It’s estimated that 90 per cent of the plastic in our oceans comes from just 10 rivers around the world, with coastal regions in Southeast Asia identified as being at particular risk,” John Lewis Partnership ethics and sustainability director, Marija Rompani said.

“Our customers have told us they want to see more packaging made from recycled content on our shelves and with vast amounts of plastic already in the world, we are committed to repurposing where we can and using more sustainable options.

“There is more to do but we hope that by using more Prevented Ocean Plastics in our packaging, we can be part of the solution to this hugely significant global issue.”

Prevented Ocean Plastic Research Centre, product and business development lead, Ben Tingley said: “World Ocean Day is a moment for our industry and community to come together to progress fully traceable ocean plastic prevention and bring recycled plastic into products on shelves.

“We can already see the significant impact this is having not only on our oceans but also to the communities that live in coastal areas most affected by plastic pollution.

“We therefore hope other businesses will follow in the footsteps of retailers like Waitrose and commit to using more Prevented Ocean Plastic in their packaging to give customers a better plastic choice when making day to day shopping decisions.”

The new initiative comes days after Waitrose launched a new sustainable packaging trial for its strawberries.

The new “Air-Light” punnet packaging is available across Waitrose’s select 400g British strawberry lines and its Duchy 225g organic strawberry line.

SupermarketsSustainability

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