German retail group Rewe is testing a new packaging material for its fresh produce, made from 40% dried grass and 60% wood.
After four years of development, this packaging material will be initially be tested on organic apples in Rewe and Penny stores across Germany.
The retailer says that the advantage of using grass is that it is a fast-growing raw material that requires less water and energy when processed.
New Territory
"With paper from grass, we are entering new territory in the industry," said Dirk Heim, head of sustainability at Rewe Group.
"In contrast to wood, grass grows much faster and is in part even a waste material, which can thus be used sensibly. By switching to this new packaging, we are now testing how the product proves itself in practice and how consumers are adopting this more ecological variant."
Rewe says that the company is 'working hard to eliminate superfluous packaging' and is open to 'unconventional procedures'.
Earlier this year, the retailer introduced laser labelling to reduce packaging on vegetables including avocados and sweet potatoes.
© 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.
