Supermarkets to trial plastic-free sandwich packs in new eco initiative
Sainsbury's, Aldi and the Co-op will begin trialing paper-based and 100% recyclable sandwich packs as part of a new nation-wide sustainability push.
Following 18 months of research and development with flexible packaging manufacturer ProAmpac, the retailers have joined forces with sandwich producer Greencore after studies found customers were struggling to remove the outer packaging from the traditional plastic film.
With over 600 million pre-packed sandwiches consumed in the UK every year, it's estimated this new move could remove millions of unrecyclable plastic every year.
"We're looking forward to seeing the new packaging on shelves this autumn and are confident it will resonate with our members and customers," Breige Donaghy, Co-op's director of delicious food, told Mail Online.
Sainsbury's, who plans to have plastic packaging removed by 2025, said it had recently extended its in-store flexible plastic recycling system to a further 520 branches. "We are pleased to be trialling this innovative new sandwich packaging with Greencore and helping our customers reduce plastic when they shop with us," Claire Hughes, director of product, packaging and innovation, adds.
According to Aldi, the initiative could result in the removal of 23.8 million pieces of plastic across its own-label sandwiches.
"We are looking at every product we sell to see if there are ways we can remove plastic packaging or replace it with recyclable alternatives," Richard Gorman, Aldi's plastics and packaging director said.
It's a great step in the right direction.
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