Sainsbury’s to remove plastic bags for loose fruit, veg and bakery items

Sainsbury’s has committed to removing 489 tonnes’ worth of plastic bags which are currently used for loose fruit, vegetables and bakery items.

By September, paper bags will be available to customers for loose bakery items. Customers buying loose fruit and vegetables will either be able to bring their own bags or buy a reusable bag made from recycled materials.

The supermarket chain will also remove:

• plastic trays for asparagus and sweetcorn
• plastic lids from cream pots
• plastic trays for tomatoes
• plastic trays for carrots
• plastic sleeves from herb pots

The retailer has also committed to replace:

• black plastic trays with recyclable alternatives
• plastic film on fruit and vegetables with a recyclable alternative
• PVC and polystyrene trays with recyclable alternatives
• plastic trays for eggs with a fibre alternative
• plastic cutlery for takeaway food with wooden alternatives

Sainsbury’s ceo Mike Coupe said: “We are absolutely committed to reducing unnecessary plastic packaging in Sainsbury’s stores. Our customers expect us to be leading the way on major issues like this, so I am determined to remove and replace plastic packaging where we can and offer alternatives to plastic where packaging is still required to protect a product.”