Supermarket retailer Morrisons has introduced a new range of packaging for its organic fresh products, made up entirely of compostable materials.
The packaging is created using trays made of sugar cane fibre, bags produced from GM-free starch and flow-wrap films, and bag-sealing tape made from wood pulp.
During a period of six to 24 months the plant-based materials will naturally break down in domestic composts, which reduces the need to dispose waste and packaging in landfills.
The new scheme will help to cut 27 tonnes of plastic packaging and 4.5 tonnes of moulded fibre from going to landfill each year.
“Initially introduced on nine key lines, Morrisons is planning to extend compostable packaging to other organic and non organic lines as part of its commitment to finding ways to reduce packaging waste,” said Alistair Hall, Morrisons purchasing manager .
The packaging will be used on pears, kiwis, salad tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, potatoes, hearted cabbage, little gem lettuce, and four-pack apples.
Instructions for package disposal will be printed on the compostable packaging, which will be identified to customers with a seedling logo and compostability accreditation standard.
Morrisons is also offering customers recycling facilities for plastic carrier bags and used Christmas cards, as part of their New Year initiative for in-store recycling .
Over 345 stores across the UK will take part in the scheme.
A company spokesman said, “It is estimated that 150 million plastic carrier bags are used in the UK every week and by offering recycling facilities, Morrisons hope to make a significant reduction in the number of plastic carrier bags being deposited into landfill sites.”
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