German retailer Rewe has announced that it plans to stop selling bananas that are packaged in plastic film in its 3,300 stores across the country.
The supermarket chain says that this sustainable switch has taken several years to implement, as it works with a large number of branded fruit companies, private-label producers and suppliers that all package their products differently.
Sustainable Packaging
Rewe has launched a number of initiatives to cut down on unnecessary packaging on its shelves, reducing the amount of plastic waste along the supply chain.
Earlier this year, the retailer introduced a pilot project using lasers to label organic fruit and vegetables, including avocados and sweet potatoes.
For food products with which packaging has a protective and quality-preserving function, Rewe says that it plans to replace plastic with contemporary alternative materials. For example, the group has been trialling a new packaging material for its fresh produce, made from 40% dried grass and 60% wood.
The sustainable packaging has been tested on organic apples in Rewe and Penny stores across Germany.
© 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.
