Asda to ditch single-use plastic bags as part of recycling plan

UK supermarket chain Asda has announced a new recycling strategy, which will see the brand ditch single-use plastic bags by the end of the year and make 100% of its own-brand plastic packaging recyclable by 2025.

Brands such as Waitrose and Iceland have already announced similar schemes, but Asda will be the first UK supermarket to phase out ‘5p’ plastic bags.

Other measures included in Asda’s Plastic Unwrapped scheme include the introduction of a reusable coffee cup, replacing all plastic drink straws with paper straws, switching from coloured to clear plastic drink bottles where possible, and replacing polystyrene pizza boards with cardboard.

The brand has also committed to removing all single cups and plastic cutlery from its shops, cafes and offices by the end of 2019.

Asda estimates that these changes will reduce plastic usage in its own brand products by 10% in the next 12 months.

Asda president and CEO Roger Burnely said: “At Asda, our mission is to be the Most Trusted Retailer. It is in every element of what we do – from the products we sell, to the way we operate.

“But trust has to be earned, and when it comes to earning our customers’ trust on our commitments to protecting the environment, I believe actions speak louder than words.

“To deliver these commitments will require real teamwork from within the company, our suppliers and our industry – but we’re confident we can do it together.”

He added: “We’ll regularly share our progress and new ideas- and push ourselves harder to do more for our customers – and our planet.”