Sainsbury’s has committed to cutting its plastic packaging use by 50%, in an “ambitious” plan to “help drive change across the industry”.
Sainsbury’s is the first major retailer to announce an initiative on this scale. The new target includes all branded food, as well as Sainsbury’s own-brand goods across all of its operations.
The retailer currently uses 120,000 tonnes of plastic packaging a year and said a “transformational leap in thinking” was needed to move the industry “beyond existing efforts at reducing packaging”.
Sainsbury’s reduced the amount of plastic packaging on its products by only 1% in 2018 and, in light of this, launched a programme to accelerate this reduction over the next few years.
The grocer will be focusing on key areas with the biggest potential impact, including plastic milk bottles, fruit and vegetable packaging, water, fruit juices and fizzy drinks, by switching to alternative materials, using lighter-weight plastics and introducing refillable packaging.
Sainsbury’s said it “cannot achieve this commitment on its own” and will collaborate with “food manufacturers, packaging suppliers, raw material scientists and other retailers, alongside the waste and recycling industry”.
This month, the grocery chain will kick-start its plans and remove 489 tonnes of plastic by eliminating single-use plastic bags from bakery and loose-produce aisles.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Mike Coupe said: “We have set ourselves a bold ambition because we understand that we urgently need to reduce our impact on the planet and to help drive change across our industry.
“Reducing plastic and packaging is not easy. Packaging plays a vital role in keeping our food safe and fresh, and minimising food waste. We must therefore find alternatives to plastic that protect the quality of our food while minimising our impact on the environment.”
Environment secretary Theresa Villiers said: “I commend the leadership shown by Sainsbury’s and their efforts to introduce new industry-wide standards and reporting, ensuring that our environment is protected for future generations.
“This is a brilliant example of the integral role business has to play in cutting plastic waste, empowering consumers to make more sustainable choices.”
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