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Sainsbury’s has initiated a trial of plastic-free packaging for its own-brand Ripe & Ready Avocados, a move expected to eliminate 20.2 million pieces of plastic annually upon full rollout.

The trial is underway across 77 supermarkets, with a broader implementation anticipated later this year.

The new packaging replaces traditional plastic with paper and bamboo netting, a fully recyclable solution designed to align with increasing consumer demand for sustainable products. This initiative marks a significant step in Sainsbury’s ongoing efforts to reduce plastic usage across its product range.

Claire Hughes, director of product and innovation at Sainsbury’s, said: “Switching to paper packaging across our Ripe & Ready Avocados twin pack is one of the many steps we are taking to fulfill our commitment towards a greener future. The initiative reflects our continuous efforts to help develop more sustainable and innovative packaging solutions and we’re excited for our customers to try out the new packaging in-store".

Sainsbury’s has been proactive in its reduction of plastic packaging, having previously transitioned to cardboard punnets for its Taste the Difference berries and cherries, which is projected to save over 160 tonnes of plastic annually.

Additionally, the switch to cardboard for mushroom punnets has resulted in savings of around 775 tonnes, while converting kitchen and toilet roll packaging from plastic to paper has reduced plastic waste by more than 485 tonnes each year.

The retailer has also introduced a ‘Good to Know’ logo to help customers easily identify products with improved packaging. This logo aims to raise awareness of Sainsbury’s sustainability efforts, which include reducing plastic usage and enhancing animal welfare.

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