Organic food delivery company Abel & Cole is swapping its compostable packaging for recyclable paper bags following concerns that the plastic only breaks down under certain conditions.
The packaging which is currently used for its fruit and vegetable boxes is set to be removed entirely by the end of next year.
This comes following research by University College London which found evidence to show that compostable plastic only breaks down under specific conditions and the process was not happening consistently via local authority facilities or in-home compost heaps.
As a result, Abel & Cole has said it will work with its suppliers to ensure this is removed and looks to roll out alternative packaging, such as its recyclable paper bags which are currently used for its carrot and potato packaging.
“We can’t fix the problem of compostable plastic pollution alone. We’re calling on decision makers in the food industry to join us too,” Abel & Cole sustainability project manager, Hugo Lynch told The Grocer.
“Until recently we thought compostable plastic ended up as compost. Growing evidence shows that’s not always the case.
“It turns out that compostable plastic only breaks down under certain conditions, and unless your local authority has access to the right equipment, compostable plastic behaves a lot like regular plastic.
“That’s why we’ve made the decision to remove compostable plastic in our core Fruit & Veg Boxes. And we’re working hard with all our suppliers to completely remove it from our range by the end of 2023.”
This news comes as many FMCG brands are choosing to ‘go green’ with their packaging including Cadbury which recently changed the packaging of its Dairy Milk chocolate to include 30% certified recycled plastic and Heineken which launched an improved version of its ‘Green Grip’ carboard multipack can topper.
