Aiming for a greener future, Waitrose ditches shrinkwrap for sustainable packaging!

  • Waitrose is removing shrinkwrap plastic from its own-label tinned products.
  • The initiative aims to eliminate single-use plastic and save over 45 tonnes annually.
  • Sales of tinned food have surged by 50% due to changing shopping behaviors during the pandemic.
  • The removal of plastic has already begun with kidney beans and sweetcorn, with more products to follow.
  • Most multibuy cans will now be sold loose, except for tuna and tomatoes, which will use recyclable card sleeves.

Waitrose is making a significant move to eliminate shrinkwrap plastic from its own-label tinned grocery products as part of its commitment to reduce single-use plastics in its stores. After a successful trial last year, the supermarket has decided to remove this non-recyclable plastic, which is typically used to bundle tinned multibuys. This change is expected to save over 45 tonnes of plastic each year. nnThe retailer has set a goal to ensure that all its own-label packaging is either reusable or made from recyclable or home-compostable materials by 2023. The pandemic has led to a notable increase in tinned food sales, with many products seeing a 50% rise compared to the previous year, as customers adapt their shopping habits to stock up on essentials. nnThe shrinkwrap has already been eliminated from essential items like kidney beans and sweetcorn, with plans to extend this to other products in the coming months. Most multibuy cans will now be available loose, although tuna and tomatoes will transition to a recyclable card sleeve. nnClaire Mitchell, the canned food buyer at Waitrose and Partners, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that customers expect the company to continue addressing plastic waste. This move is a crucial step towards their broader goal of phasing out non-recyclable plastic from all packaging by 2021.

Factuality Level: 9
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and relevant information about Waitrose’s efforts to remove shrinkwrap plastic from its own-label tinned products, citing specific examples and the impact of this change on the environment and sales. It also includes quotes from a representative of the company discussing their plans for future changes and the reasoning behind them.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Waitrose’s efforts to reduce plastic waste and their commitment to using recyclable materials for packaging. It also mentions the impact of the pandemic on tinned food sales. However, it could provide more details on the broader implications of this change in the industry or other companies’ actions towards sustainability.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Waitrose and related supermarket companies
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses Waitrose’s efforts to remove shrinkwrap plastic from its own-label tinned grocery products, which can impact the company’s costs and potentially affect their sales and revenue. It also mentions a shift in customer behavior during the pandemic that has led to increased sales of tinned food. This could have financial implications for Waitrose and other supermarket companies.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk