Waitrose veg

Waitrose will have removed all black plastic from its own-label fruit, vegetables, fish and meat by end of this year

Waitrose is set to trial plastic alternative cartons for some of its ready meal lines this month.

The upmarket retailer is using the alternative packaging in its Macaroni Cheese and Spaghetti Bolognese lines, as it steps up its efforts to remove all black plastic packaging by the end of 2019.

The Forest Stewardship Council-certified trays being rolled out are wood and fibre-based, can be heated in ovens or microwaves and are widely recyclable, unlike the black plastic currently being used.

It is also switching black plastic lids on drinks bottles to a clear plastic alternative. In recent weeks it has swapped black plastic trays on some of its fresh meat lines, including steaks, to clear plastic versions.

“We’re dedicated to reducing and simplifying the plastics used across our business” said Waitrose packaging manager Karen Graley. “Black plastic remains tough to recycle and we’re happy to be working with our suppliers to develop this exciting alternative for our ready meals. If successful we aim to roll out further. This will make a significant difference in reducing our use of black plastic.”

When Waitrose made its commitment on black packaging in January, it said it had already removed 65% of the material from its fruit & vegetable packaging and will have removed all of the black plastic from its own-label fruit, vegetables, fish and meat by end of this year.

Waitrose has also pledged to make all its own label packaging recyclable or home compostable by 2025.

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