Tesco to remove multipack plastic wrapping from own-brand drinks

Tesco is ditching multipacks of its own-label drinks in the UK, in a move to save 45 million pieces of plastic a year. 

The retailer will initially remove multipack wrapping from its own-brand fizzy drinks, saving 12 million pieces of plastic each year.  

Individual cans will be available at the same price per unit under a multi-buy promotion that will also allow shoppers to buy different drinks within the same deal.  

By allowing consumers to mix and match purchases, Tesco says that it is granting them more freedom of choice at no extra cost.

“Customers are focused on getting great value right now, but they still want to use less plastic,” said Tesco head of packaging development, Johnny Neville.  

“Not only is this move great news for the environment but it will also offer customers more choice and flexibility when it comes to fizzy drinks – at no extra cost. It could even work out much cheaper for customers who want a variety of drinks.”   

In addition, a further 33 million pieces of plastic will be removed in the autumn, as plastic multipacks are scrapped for children’s lunchbox drinks, water, fruit juices and energy drinks. 

The project marks the latest in a series of moves by Tesco to reduce multipack plastic wraps. The company has also removed the packaging from all of its tins, including branded and own-brand beans, soup and tuna, and last year stopped selling beers and ciders in soft plastic multipack wraps.