FDBusiness.com

The Co-operative Food has switched the packaging on its own-brand onion range to a recyclable material

The retailer said that this switch will enable 32 tonnes of packaging to be recycled per year.

According to the Co-op, changing the packaging on own-brand onions from polypropylene to polythene allows the bags to be recycled, providing, what it calls, a “more environmentally responsible way of disposing of the packaging, which would have otherwise been destined for landfill”.

The change allows the onion packs to feature the industry-wide On-Pack Recycling Label – a move which was taken with the support of government organisation, Wrap, which promotes recycling and waste reduction in the UK.

Last year, The Co-operative recycled more than 2,921 tonnes of polythene, including plastic collected from recycling points at more than 1,000 of the retailer’s larger stores, and used it to produce bin bags and bags for life, which it replaces when worn out, free of charge.

Iain Ferguson, environment manager for The Co-operative Food, said: “The Co-operative is leading the way in providing customers with recyclable packaging.  We know our customers are keen to protect the environment and, in addition, we are also working to label all our recyclable product lines to make it as easy as possible for our customers to recycle.”