U.K. retail chain Sainsbury’s has switched its recyclable pulp trays for its own-label salmon and trout products with more sustainable packaging, a move that the chain claims will cut its plastic use by 70 percent, or 346 tons of plastic, annually.
Sainsbury’s, which operates around 600 supermarkets and more than 800 convenience stores and claims to be the first U.K. chain to make this type of move, is also replacing plastic trays with cardboard alternatives on all of its fresh breaded chicken and all Taste the Difference-branded breaded fish.
The switch to cardboard for its own-label breaded fish fillets will save 48 tons of plastic annually, and in total, the packaging changes will save 694 tons of plastic per year.
“With salmon being one of our most popular fish, we made it a priority to reduce the plastic on the packaging of this much-loved product as we work toward our Plan for Better [sustainability] goals,” Sainsbury’s Director of Product and Innovation Claire Hughes said.
The pulp cardboard trays on all salmon lines and cardboard trays across breaded chicken and fish are easily recyclable, Sainsbury’s said, “helping customers to reduce their household waste by simply placing the packaging in curbside recycling at home.”
Sainsbury’s will also roll out the new packaging throughout the summer across many of its seasonal chicken products such as breaded goujons, nuggets, and schnitzels.
In another move aiming for greater sustainability across its stores, the chain recently launched a “Good to Know” logo, which more clearly displays information that helps customers find products that are more sustainable, including those with reduced plastic packaging.
“The new logo is aimed to help customers understand the retailer’s work around sustainability and its work toward its Plan for Better ambitions. Customers will be able to find the ‘Good to Know’ logo on the latest packaging across its salmon products,” Sainsbury’s said.
