UK retailer Waitrose has revealed plans to package more of its egg products in rye-grass boxes.
The retailer has used the packaging, which is made from 50% rye grass and 50% recycled paper, for eggs in its Duchy organic range since 2015.
However, Waitrose is now rolling out the sustainable packaging solution to eight more products in its stores.
The group says that the new packaging is just like a traditional egg box, but uses 60% less water during production, releases 20% less CO2, and uses 20% less electricity compared to a standard pulp box.
Alternative Packaging
“Rye grass has proved a cracking alternative to traditional cardboard egg boxes and it’s great that more eggs will be packaged in this way," said Tor Harris, head of responsible sourcing and sustainability at Waitrose.
“This is a positive move to boost the sustainability of our packaging and help the environment."
This introduction is in line with Waitrose's goal to ensure all its own-label packaging is widely recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.
Earlier this year, the retailer pledged to stop selling private-label food products in black plastic packaging by the end of 2019, and has previously trialled packaging made from dried tomato leaves.
This follows the launch of the UK government's 25-year plan for reducing waste and tackling climate change.
In a speech made at the start of the year, prime minister Theresa May pledged to eliminate all “avoidable” plastic waste by 2042, and proposed extending the levy on plastic bags and introducing plastic-free aisles in supermarkets.
© 2018 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.
