UK | Asda has announced it is removing traditional plastic tray packaging across its Just Essentials beef mince range and replacing it with a lighter, recyclable, flexible plastic film alternative.
The new packaging, now available in stores and online, contains 60 percent less plastic than the previous version and is fully recyclable through Asda’s in-store collection points, which will help remove 67.6 tonnes of plastic from Asda’s supply chain annually. The previous packaging version was used from May 2022 through to January 2024.
The vacuum-pack packaging method removes the oxygen, which typically causes a product to eventually spoil, meaning the product has a longer shelf life than before. Thanks to the new method, the pack is smaller, taking up less space in the fridge whilst containing the same amount of beef mince as before the change.
Asda has worked to ensure this packaging is recyclable under OPRL’s guidance so customers can recycle their used packaging through the front-of-store collection points at 250 of our largest stores.
It’s the latest in a string of changes from the supermarket as it reaches its 100 percent recyclable packaging target by 2025. Last year, Asda also removed best-before dates on almost 250 fresh fruit and vegetable products and changed its brand yoghurts to a best-before date to help customers reduce food waste in the home and save money.
Jon Wells, sustainable packaging manager at Asda, said it always looked at new ways to make positive changes that will benefit customers and the planet.
“We believe this is one of those changes,” said Wells.
“Not only does this improve shelf life and provide greater convenience for our customers, it also removes tonnes of non-recyclable plastic from our supply chain, reducing our carbon footprint.”
Asda’s latest ESG report, which provides an annual review of its progress towards meeting its environmental targets, revealed that in 2022 the supermarket had increased the proportion of own-label packaging that can be recycled to 93 percent.
