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Sainsbury's is replacing plastic with cardboard on its own-brand mushroom punnets, which will result in a reduction of over 775 tonnes of plastic, equivalent to 52 million pieces annually. This move is said to represent the largest single plastics removal in the retailer's history. The switch will apply to all of Sainsbury's 13 own-brand mushroom lines, including popular varieties – such as whole baby button, closed cup, organic and chestnut mushrooms – and will be completed by the end of the month. Sainsbury’s will become the first UK retailer to roll out cardboard punnets for all mushrooms in all its stores. Currently, customers can purchase bySainsbury’s and SO Organic mushrooms in cardboard punnets both in-store and online. The change will affect Taste the Difference lines by the end of January. Claire Hughes, Sainsbury's director of product and innovation, said: “As part of our Plan for Better commitments, we are trying to reduce plastic packaging across our own brand ranges. We are delighted to introduce cardboard punnets for our own-brand mushrooms." "Making a collective effort with suppliers to increasing recycled content and recyclability for all customers has helped achieve our biggest-ever plastics removal so far. The initiative reflects our commitment towards a healthier and more sustainable future as we continue to look at ways to innovate our packaging and reduce and replace plastic where possible.” Customers can still recycle the film packaging at any of the flexible plastics recycling points located at the front of Sainsbury's stores.