Co-operative Food changes onion packaging in a bid to increase recycling
Co-operative Food has switched the packaging on its own-brand onion range to a recyclable material to enable 32 tonnes more packaging to be recycled per year.
The packaging, which has been changed from polypropylene to polythene, will also feature the industry-wide On-Pack Recycling Label. The retailer said the move had been taken with the support of WRAP, the government organisation which promotes recycling and waste reduction in the UK.
Last year, The Co-operative recycled more than 2,921 tonnes of polythene, including plastic collected from recycling points at more than 1,000 of the retailer’s larger stores, and used it to produce bin bags and bags for life which it replaces when worn out, free of charge.
Changing the onion packaging is the latest in a wider move by Co-operative Food to make more of its fresh produce packaging recyclable. The retailer said the efforts support its wider target to divert the majority of operational waste from landfill, as part of its long term Ethical Plan.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Iain Ferguson, environment manager, Co-operative Food, said: “The Co-operative is leading the way in providing customers with recyclable packaging. We know our customers are keen to protect the environment and, in addition, we are also working to label all our recyclable product lines to make it as easy as possible for our customers to recycle.”
Marcus Gover, director of closed loop eonomy at WRAP, added: “WRAP welcomes every initiative from retailers and brand owners to encourage people to recycle more plastic films. So we are pleased to see The Co-operative taking this step to boost the recyclability of its onion packaging, and making it easier for consumers to recycle it by using the On-Pack Recycling Label.”
