Asda is claiming that it will remove just over 100m pieces of single-use plastic from its stores each year by switching from plastic to reusable fruit and veg bags. The move follows the success of a nine-store trial at the end of last year.
Priced at 30p each, Asda’s reusable bags are made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles.
During the trial period, Asda sold an average of 30,000 bags each week as shoppers backed the chain’s efforts to tackle plastic pollution.
Dominic Edwards, Director of Produce said: “We know that our customers and colleagues are really passionate about doing the right thing for the environment and this move is just another way we are helping them make sustainable choices, without compromising on the quality of our produce.
“Following some really positive feedback on our trial, we’re excited to roll out the removal of the plastic bags across all our stores, as we continue to work towards our plastic reduction targets as a business.”
Asda also revealed that it plans to remove plastic punnets from conference pears later this year, saving an additional 170 tonnes of plastic annually.
The initiatives are part of Asda’s commitment to remove single-use plastic from its business. Since 2018, the supermarket has removed 9,000 tonnes or plastic and committed to removing 3bn pieces of plastic from own-label products by 2025.
