Supermarket Tops Greenpeace League Table for Second Consecutive Year

  • Waitrose ranked first in reducing single-use plastics for the second year in a row
  • 6.1% absolute plastic reduction across own-brand and branded ranges since 2017
  • 4% reduction in plastic packaging (1,264 tonnes) and overall packaging reduction of 2.6% (3,981 tonnes)
  • Increased use of recycled plastic by 6.1%
  • 70% of single-use plastic packaging is widely recyclable
  • 13 unpacked options added in December, totaling 51 lines including frozen fruit and store cupboard essentials
  • Trial to understand if customers will incorporate unpacked items into regular shopping trips
  • Plans to add more refillable products later this year
  • Waitrose aims to explore potential for scaling up unpacked options in the future

Waitrose has been ranked first by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Greenpeace’s annual league table for the second year in a row due to its efforts in reducing single-use plastics. Since 2017, Waitrose has achieved an ‘absolute plastic reduction’ of 6.1% across both its own-brand and branded ranges. The supermarket also highlighted its refillable pilot scheme, which led to a 4% reduction in plastic packaging (1,264 tonnes) and an overall packaging reduction of 2.6% (3,981 tonnes). Additionally, the company increased the use of recycled plastic by 6.1%. The store now offers 51 unpacked lines, including frozen fruit, rice, pasta, grains, cereals, dried fruit, and coffee, as well as washing detergent. These changes aim to understand if customers can incorporate shopping for unpacked items into their regular shopping trips instead of visiting a separate part of the store. Waitrose plans to add more refillable products later this year, exploring the potential to scale up unpacked options in the future.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about Waitrose’s efforts to reduce plastic usage and their ranking in the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Greenpeace’s annual league table. It includes specific data on plastic reduction percentages and details about their refillable pilot scheme. The article also quotes a representative from Waitrose, providing insight into their plans for future initiatives.
Noise Level: 2
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant and informative content about Waitrose’s efforts to reduce plastic usage and their plans for refillable products. It includes specific data on reductions achieved and quotes from an executive director of the company. The information is focused on the topic and supports its claims with evidence.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Waitrose’s efforts to reduce plastic usage and increase recycled content may impact its financial performance, as it could potentially attract environmentally-conscious customers and improve brand reputation.
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses Waitrose’s ranking in an environmental league table and its efforts to reduce plastic packaging, which can have an impact on the company’s image and customer base. This could influence sales and financial performance.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk