UK frozen food specialist, Iceland, is committing to become the first major retailer globally to eliminate plastic packaging from all of its own brand products by the end of 2023.
Iceland says it will harness the latest technologies to create a range of packaging comprising paper and pulp trays along with paper bags which are fully recyclable through domestic waste collection or in – store recycling facilities, and therefore less harmful to the environment.
The continuing defence of current plastic packaging does not resonate with the consumer and general public opinion. In a survey of 5,000 UK consumers:
- 80% would endorse a supermarket’s move to go plastic-free
- As a result of a supermarket’s plastic-free stance, 91% would be more likely to encourage friends and family to shop there
- Nearly 68% think that other supermarkets should follow this lead.
Iceland has already removed plastic disposable straws from its own label range. And its new food ranges, which are set to hit the shelves in early 2018, will feature paper-based rather than plastic food trays.
The supermarket will be providing regular updates on key milestones during the next five years as it transitions to plastic-free packaging.
Iceland Managing Director, Richard Walker, a passionate advocate of environmental awareness and sustainability, is driving this initiative to demonstrate the potential for the entire supermarket retail sector to go plastic-free as far as possible.
“There really is no excuse any more for excessive packaging that creates needless waste and damages our environment. The technologies and practicalities to create less environmentally harmful alternatives exist, and so Iceland is putting a stake in the ground.”
Richard Walker comments: “The world has woken up to the scourge of plastics. A truckload is entering our oceans every minute 3, causing untold damage to our marine environment and ultimately humanity – since we all depend on the oceans for our survival.
“The onus is on retailers, as leading contributor s to plastic packaging pollution and waste, to take a stand and deliver meaningful change. Other supermarkets, and the retail industry as a whole, should follow suit and offer similar commitments during 2018. This is a time for collaboration.
“There really is no excuse any more for excessive packaging that creates needless waste and damages our environment. The technologies and practicalities to create less environmentally harmful alternatives exist, and so Iceland is putting a stake in the ground.
“In tandem, we will also ensure that all our packaging is fully recyclable and that it is actually recycled, through our support for initiatives such as a bottle Deposit Return Scheme.
“We are working closely with our supportive own label suppliers to ensure this pledge becomes a reality, and we’ll be providing regular updates to customers on our progress in the months to come.”
The move comes as Theresa May last week unveiled the UK Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan, which vows to eliminate “avoidable plastic waste” by 2042.