Asda has changed its own-brand tea bag packaging to be plant-based as it looks to make the 550 million it sells each year disposable via kerbside food waste bins.
Made from PLA derived from corn starch, the new tea bag packaging will replace its previous non-renewable, oil-based plastic bags.
Rolling out over the next six months, this will take effect across its entire range including Just Essentials and Extra Special.
“We know our customers want to do all they can to reduce their impact on the environment and we want to make that as easy as possible for them,” Asda packaging technologist, Jon Wells said.
“Tea is a staple in most customer’s households so for us to make a change which can make such a difference is a big moment for us.”
Wrap resource management sector specialist, Adam Herriott added: “It’s positive to hear of further moves by Asda, a founding member of The UK Plastics Pact, to make innovative moves on their products and tackle plastic waste. We must continue to go further, and ensure we bring in more changes that benefit shoppers and the environment”.
This news comes as Asda has been accredited by the British Retail Consortium for its sustainability initiatives and gained recognition as part of the Climate Action Roadmap Showcase.
The Big 4 grocer was praised for implementing new biogas trucks earlier this year which were designed to remove 50,000 tonnes of CO2 from its operations.
