Asda today revealed it had slashed 3,100 tonnes from its packaging since February.
The announcement means the retailer is nearly halfway towards its target of a 10% reduction in plastic packaging in own brand by February 2019.
CEO Roger Burnley said Asda was determined to be transparent about the reductions in its range, which have included switching pizza bases from polystyrene to cardboard and removing the plastic wrap from its swedes.
He said the actions in total added up to the equivalent of 287 million 500ml drinks bottles worth of plastic.
“Earlier this year Asda became one of the first supermarkets to make a firm commitment to how we would reduce the amount of plastic in our business,” said Burnley.
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“We did this because we recognise we have a responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment wherever we can, and our customers and colleagues told us they really care about this issue.
In 2017 Asda used 65,000 tonnes of plastic packaging in own brand products.
Burnley said: “Whilst there is no doubt this is a big number and I want to be clear that we will do everything we can to eliminate avoidable plastic in our business. It’s important to remember that packaging is essential to ensuring our products reach our customers in great condition, and that it reduces waste in the store or at home.
“In many cases, plastic is still the best material because the alternatives have other, broader environmental impacts that outweigh the positives.
“For example, I get loads of customers asking me why we don’t use paper bags for our produce - and at first, I wondered the same. Then I discovered the total carbon footprint of making a paper bag is greater than the impact of a plastic bag. And removing the packaging altogether would increase food waste massively.
“We have targets to reduce our food waste and total environmental impact - as well as plastic - so we have to take all of these issues into account and make sure we’re making thoughtful and informed decisions about the best course of action.”
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