Coop Switzerland is introducing new reusable bags for fruit and vegetables in its stores.
The retailer says that the Multi-Bag provides an environmentally friendly alternative for customers who do not want to waste single-use plastic bags for their fresh produce.
"We have made a point of ensuring that the bags are made of durable materials, the price tags are easy to remove, and the bag is machine washable," said Guido Fuchs, sustainability specialist at Coop.
Developed by VPZ Verpackungszentrum GmbH, the reusable bags are made from sustainably sourced beechwood and will be available to buy in the fruit and vegetable section of Coop stores at a price of CHF 4.95 for a pack of three.
Sustainability Initiatives
Coop Switzerland says that different fruits and vegetables can be put into the Multi-Bag when shopping, reducing the need for multiple bags and cutting down on excessive plastic use.
Customers weigh each product separately and then paste the price tags directly onto the bag.
The retailer says that customers can also use their own bags or containers for fresh produce, provided that they are transparent, so that the cashier can see inside.
Many retail groups across Europe have been trying to reduce or eliminate single-use bags in their stores over the past few years.
At Coop Switzerland, the retailer has seen an 85% reduction in the use of plastic shopping bags at its checkouts since February 2017.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
