The move will be implemented in partnership with the Danish-Swedish dairy cooperative Arla and will be visible on all fresh milk ranges, including skimmed whole, semi-skimmed, organic and filtered milk
The clear bottle caps have 30% recycled material and can go back into food packaging. (Credit: ASDA)
UK-based supermarket chain Asda has unveiled its plans to swap the coloured caps with recyclable clear caps on all its own label fresh milk to make its food packaging more recyclable.
The move will be implemented in partnership with the Danish-Swedish dairy cooperative Arla. It will be visible on all fresh milk ranges including skimmed, whole, semi-skimmed, organic, and filtered milk.
The plan intends to recycle the natural-coloured caps back into food-grade packaging and aligns with the supermarket’s goal to make most of its food packaging recyclable.
Asda Lead Packaging Strategy and Innovation manager Fiona Dobson said: “At Asda, we are committed to finding ways to reduce our environmental impact.
“The introduction of clear caps on our milk bottles is part of our wider commitment to drive 100% recyclability packaging and increase recycled content levels across all of our products by 2025.”
According to Asda, the change is expected to recycle around 268 tonnes of high-density polythene (rHDPE) to make new milk bottles.
Additionally, it will support the recycling of around 207 million plastic milk bottle caps every year.
In comparison to green, blue, and red coloured caps, the clear bottle caps have 30% recycled material and can go back into food packaging.
The new packaging is anticipated to be available in all Asda stores this month. The change will also be implemented in Yeo Valley’s fresh milk, the supermarket chain said.
Asda explained that consumers can differentiate between the several varieties of milk by checking the coloured labelling on all milk bottles.
Arla Organic and Yogurt Milk head Catriona Mantle said: “We are continuously exploring new ways to reduce our climate impact from our packaging material and are pleased to confirm we will be introducing clear caps across our milk portfolio from early June 2023, which will see nearly 1,000 tonnes of food grade plastic being retained in the circular system.”