As part of its ongoing sustainability drive, Spanish retailer Mercadona has incorporated recycled plastic in the packaging of its Hacendado frozen pizzas.
The new packaging, which is more environmentally-friendly, demonstrates the retailer's commitment to the circular economy, it said.
With the move, the retailer (which is also present in Portugal) will stop using 1,600 tonnes of virgin plastic a year, which is equivalent to 64 lorries' worth
Mercadona's private label frozen pizza range now offers a wide range of SKUs, with different options as regards ingredients, flavours, sizes and shapes; the full range totals 24 varieties, including lactose-free and gluten-free options.
Supplier Totaler Casa Tarradellas has been making Hacendado frozen pizzas for Mercadona since 1988.
Sustainability Push
For more than two years, the retailer has been developing the 'Strategy 6.25' sustainability initiative, aimed at reducing plastic and managing waste properly, in which it is investing over €140 million.
Six lines of actions will be developed by 2025 and Mercadona is currently implementing Action 3, through which it will have reduced the plastic used in its packaging by 25% by 2025.
To achieve this goal, the company will eliminate excess plastic by replacing it with other materials, reducing, reusing or incorporating recycled material, it said.
In March, the grocer announced that it was replacing plastic kitchenware with more environmentally-friendly alternatives, in all its in-store cafés and restaurants.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Branislav Pekic. For more Packaging news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
