Sainsbury’s is to swap its traditional plastic tray packaging for a new vacuum-packed alternative across its entire fresh lamb mince range in a bid to save 26 tonnes of plastic annually.

The new packaging, which will roll out to stores and online from today, will result in a minimum 65% reduction in plastic per product.

Sainsbury’s said the lamb mince products will be vacuum-packed for freshness, removing all oxygen which typically causes a product to spoil more quickly.

The move will increase the life of the current product and also allow the product to last better in the freezer.

The new packaging will contain the same amount of lamb mince “at the same quality customers can expect from Sainsbury’s”, according to the grocer.

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There will also be new QR codes on the packaging to provide advice on how to cook the mince.

Sainsbury’s director of fresh food Richard Crampton said: “We know customers want us to reduce plastic packaging and that’s why we’re committed to making bold changes which benefit the environment as well as helping customers to reduce plastic waste at home.

“Once again, we’re the first major supermarket to switch to vacuum packed packaging on a popular product that our customers buy week in, week out. This change more than halves the plastic used in our lamb mince range.”

The packaging will be recyclable in-store at stores, including Sainsbury’s flexible plastic recycling collection points available in all of its supermarkets.

Last year, the grocer was left defending its minced beef packaging after some consumers complained that the meat turned to ‘mush’ when opened.

The supermarket was “the first UK retailer to vacuum pack all beef mince saving 450 tonnes of plastic each year” and cut plastic per-pack by 55%.