Lidl to launch packaging that makes use of ocean bound plastic

Lidl is to become the first UK supermarket to launch new packaging that makes use of ocean-bound plastic.

Collected from beaches and coastline around South East Asia, the plastic used for the packaging would otherwise have ended up in the sea.

Lidl has developed the packaging in partnership with Copernus, Sharpak and Bantam Materials. Made from 80% recycled content, a minimum of 30% of the weight of the tray will be made up of ocean-bound plastic.

Due to be rolled out from 30 March across fresh fish products supplied by Copernus, the packaging will initially be used on more than 50% of the supermarket’s fish lines including white fish and salmon. Lidl is planning to extend its use across its entire fresh fish range in 2020 and is exploring ways to use it across other product lines.

Georgina Hall, Lidl GB’s head of corporate social responsibility, said: “We are proud to be the first UK supermarket introducing packaging incorporating plastic that would have otherwise ended up in the ocean, helping to tackle the problem directly as part of our commitment to prevent plastics ending up as waste. We are actively looking to extend this innovative solution to other product lines to help reduce the amount of plastic ending up in our oceans and keep our environments healthy.”

The initiative forms part of the supermarket’s plans to ensure that 50% of packaging is made from recycled materials by 2025 and to reduce the use of plastic by 20% by 2022. It is also looking to make 100% of its own brand packaging widely recyclable, reusable or refillable by 2025.

Source: The Retail Bulletin