German retailer REWE has announced that it has removed plastic film packaging from organic cucumbers offered at Rewe and Penny outlets.
The announcement was made at the Internationale Grüne Woche consumer fair in Berlin.
Eco-Friendly Measures
The retailer has already renounced plastic packaging or implemented environmentally friendly alternatives for around 1,122 SKUs.
Currently, celery, leek, flower and white cabbage, fennel, and courgette under the retailer's REWE Bio brand only carry adhesive labels or adhesive tapes, removing the need for plastic packaging altogether.
Previously, at the end of 2017, the retailer went plastic film-free for its entire range of private-label bananas.
These efforts will cut the use of around 7,000 tonnes of plastics a year in packaging, the company said.
'Step In The Right Direction'
The CEO of REWE Group, Lionel Souque, said, "With these measures at REWE and PENNY, we have already taken a big step in the right direction.
"We are well on the way to making our packaging progressively more environmentally friendly, based on the principle of 'avoiding, reducing, and improving'."
Plastic films play an important in protecting sensitive fruits against dehydration and damage.
However, due to efforts made by all participating trading partners, the transport processes have been modified in such a way that organic cucumbers no longer have to be welded in, and can still retain their freshness and quality, the company said.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
