Less can be more

Steps are being taken to improve packaging so that less waste goes to landfill, according to many of the large supermarket chains

Steps are being taken to improve packaging so that less waste goes to landfill, according to many of the large supermarket chains. Big names such as Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury, the Co-op and Morrison's are all working to reduce waste and improve packaging to ensure more materials are reusable or biodegradable.

Jane Bickerstaffe, director of INCPEN (the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment), said: "There is a lot of work going on at the moment to both reduce packaging and create forms of packaging that will result in a dramatic reduction in the waste that goes to landfill.

"This does have to be balanced with issues of safety as well. Packaging must have the right barrier properties for the product inside."

She believed there was sometimes a case for using more packaging in response to consumer needs and the desire for fresh "healthy" food. For example, small packaged portions of grapes or other fruit to encourage children to eat fruit for lunch at school.

"However, as well as encouraging companies to improve their packaging, we also try to help consumers live more sustainable lifestyles," she added.

"Consumers can order a copy of our publication the Green Kitchen www.incpen.org, or call (0118) 925 5991 which helps people make environmentally friendly choices when it comes to both shopping and preparing food."

Many supermarkets are also working with WRAP (the Waste Resources Action Programme) to look at ways of improving packaging and are making their own commitments to reducing waste.

A spokesperson for Tesco said: "At Tesco not only do we try to reduce the amount of waste we create, but we also try to help our customers reduce the amount they throw away. Last year we signed up to the
Courtauld commitment, which compliments our proactive approach to waste management and reduction.

At the Green Grocers, Earlham House, in Norwich, packaging is always high on the agenda.

Partner in the business, Tom Jones, said as much loose produce as possible was sold.

"All our own bags are made from paper, which is recyclable, or are reusable," he said.

"The only plastic carrier bags we have are the ones our customers bring in to reuse."

The shop also dispenses washing machine and washing up liquid into refillable containers and sells most of its drinks in recyclable glass bottles.

"Our customers are keen to see as great a reduction in packaging as possible," he said.

"This is something we are continually looking at alongside other ways of minimising waste."

When it comes to packaging, supermarkets often get a bad press.

YRYC asked some of them to outline the positive steps they have taken. Here are some of their replies:

Waitrose

• In 1997 we were the first retailer to introduce reusable, long-life carrier bags.

• For more than 20 years Waitrose has recycled packaging materials such as cardboard and plastic at all our shops and distribution centres.

• We continually explore the environmental and technical feasibility of alternative materials, such as biodegradable packaging and are planning to pilot its suitability in our organic range of pre-packed fruit and vegetables later this year.

• In November 2004 we introduced a 100 per cent biodegradable Jute based wine carrier bag.

Co-op

• The Co-op introduced Britain's first 100 per cent degradable plastic carrier bag in 2002. Although as strong as conventional plastic carrier bags, our bags start to degrade after around 18
  months and, in the right conditions, will have totally degraded after three years.

• In 2004, we moved all Co-op sliced bread bags into degradable material.

• In the same year we used degradable bags for our fresh Christmas Turkeys and last year we completed the transfer of all Co-op fresh
  produce bags into degradable plastic.

• We use starch-based packaging (netting, trays and film) for Co-op organic produce.

Sainsburys

• We have achieved a steady decline in waste sent to landfill, relative to our sales.

• In 2004/05 we landfilled 5.73 tonnes of waste for every £1 million sales, compared to six tonnes in 2002/3.

• We emphasise the financial and environmental benefits of recycling for stores.

• Our aim for packaging is to reduce packaging by 2010 by five per cent relative to turnover without increasing packaging-related product wastage.

Morrisons

• Morrisons adhere to the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle rule of environmentally responsible packaging. We ensure that we use no more packaging material than is necessary to protect and transport products safely to the shelves.

• To avoid unnecessary waste we have an extensive system of baskets which are reused over and over again between our packing plants and stores. These are most visible on our fresh fruit and vegetable displays.

• Within Market Street we also offer many loose items, allowing our customers to buy as little or as much as they need without the
  packaging.

• We ensure that both the weight and volume of packaging are minimised whilst maintaining the necessary levels of safety, hygiene and acceptance for the packed product.

Tesco

• We have reduced the weight of cardboard used for a range of our fresh pizzas by over 60 per cent and this has enabled us to save 747 tonnes of cardboard in one year.

• In 2000, Tesco pioneered the use of re-usable plastic crates - our award-winning green trays - to replace cardboard boxes and other packaging used to transport and display products. Green trays have subsequently been adopted all over the world because they also protect products, minimising damage.

• We hope to increase the amount of degradable carrier bags to 100 per cent during 2006. As a trial we ordered 600,000 woven nylon bags to sell in stores in late 2005. They were incredibly popular, all sold and we are looking at making them a more permanent feature.

• We have carried out a successful trial to reduce the amount of polythene used in potato packaging. By reducing the thickness of the polythene used, we have saved 150 tonnes of polythene to date.

Examples of other products where packaging has recently been reduced include:

• OXY Medicated Cleaners - has moved from a 100 ml bottle and carton to a 150 ml bottle with 46 per cent less packaging.

• Comfort Fabric Conditioner - packaging has been reduced from 9.5g per wash to 4.2g by concentrating the product and only 2.6 grams when bought in a refill pack.

• Boots First Harvest baby food - glass jars have been made lighter with a seven per cent saving across all sizes.

• Sainsbury's Garlic Bread moved from a thin unprinted film in a carton to a thicker, printed film with an 85 per cent reduction in packaging.

Five top tips for smart shopping.

• Choosing products with less packaging, or packaging that can be recycled.

• Buy loose vegetables and fruit where possible.

• Support the bag for life schemes and reuse carrier bags.

• Put everything into one bag rather than taking a different one from each shop.

• Choose refills where available.

For more information visit:

www.thegreengrocers.co.uk