Sainsbury’s plans to save 55 million pieces of plastic each year by using recyclable paper packaging in its own brand toilet paper and tea towels.
Sainsbury’s is converting 27 of its products into paper packaging that consumers can recycle, in what it says is the biggest plastic reduction drive for the retailer’s grocery business. The rollout, which will cover goods purchased in stores and online, is expected to be completed by February 2024 and will save 485 tonnes of plastic.
It comes after Sainsbury’s launched double-length toilet rolls, each containing twice as much paper. Apparently, this could reduce the use of plastic packaging by 30%, saving 84 tons of plastic every year.
Claire Hughes, director of product and innovation, said: “We sell thousands of our own brand toilet paper and kitchen rolls every week and by switching these household items from plastic to paper we can reduce the amount of plastic used. This change alone represents the largest reduction. plastic in our grocery products today, and our customers can expect further changes.
“Working with our suppliers to develop innovative packaging solutions to reduce plastic use is a priority for Sainsbury’s, helping us achieve our ambitious targets to increase recycled content and recyclability.”
Sainsbury’s other efforts to reduce plastic use include the decision to repackage its own brand of 750ml washing powder in recyclable cardboard boxes. The change is expected to reduce household plastic waste by 22 tonnes per year.
The company is also aiming to reduce its annual plastic use by 450 tonnes by replacing pallet packaging of its ground beef range with vacuum packaging. However, consumers criticized this decision for sacrificing the recyclability of the previous design and affecting the quality of the product.
In a more recent development, Billerud has developed machine-coated kraft paper for packaging toilet paper and kitchen paper rolls. Not only is it said to be recyclable, but it is also biodegradable, has a smaller carbon footprint and is just as durable as polyethylene alternatives.
Post time: Jun-04-2024