Sainsbury’s transitions from plastic packaging to cardboard for mushroom punnets
In a move hailed by the supermarket as its “biggest single plastics removal so far”, Sainsbury’s has announced it is set to remove plastic packaging from its range of own-brand mushrooms.
Implemented by the end of January, this change is set to encompass all 13 of the company’s own-brand lines, including popular varieties such as whole baby button, chestnut and closed cup mushrooms.
Sainsbury’s estimates that the transition will save an estimated 775 tonnes of plastic, equivalent to over 52 million pieces of plastic each year. The retailer claims that this is equal to the weight of 43 full London double-decker buses.
This recent announcement adds to a series of adjustments made by the retailer regarding packaging – Sainsbury’s achieved a plastic saving of 75 tonnes each year in 2020 by removing plastic from tomato trays, with the same process for asparagus saving 32 tonnes of plastic the year prior.
Moving beyond plastic packaging
Speaking on the announcement, Claire Hughes, Director of Product and Innovation, said: “As part of our Plan for Better commitments, we are trying to reduce plastic packaging across our own brand ranges. We are delighted to introduce cardboard punnets for our own-brand mushrooms.
“Making a collective effort with suppliers to increase recycled content and recyclability for all customers has helped achieve our biggest-ever plastics removal so far. The initiative reflects our commitment towards a healthier and more sustainable future as we continue to look at ways to innovate our packaging and reduce and replace plastic where possible.”
Plastic film packaging – found on mushroom punnets prior to the change – can still be recycled in Sainsbury’s at one of its front-of-store flexible plastic recycling points, which the retailer highlights is available across all of its UK stores.
