British supermarket chain Iceland Foods has begun selling pre-packaged bananas in a recycled paper band as part of its efforts to reduce the use of plastic.
Image: Iceland launches 100% recyclable paper band for its pre-packed bananas. Photo: courtesy of Iceland Foods Ltd.
The frozen food specialist’s bananas will now be packaged in a paper band which is 100% recyclable and made from recycled paper.
The use of plastic-free packaging for pre-packed bananas will allow Iceland to avoid the use of 10 million plastic bags per annum.
The retailer said a total of 420 million packs of bananas were sold in the UK per year and urged other retailers to follow the direction to decrease the amount of plastic consumption.
Iceland has launched new packaging in its three stores as part of an initial trial. It will be expanded to further 120 stores by the end of this week.
The new packaged bananas are said to be the first product in all of major UK supermarkets to carry the Plastic Free Trust Mark, which was introduced by A Plastic Planet at the starting of this year.
Iceland is the first retailer to adapt the mark and making the consumers to use plastic-free packaging.
The retailer has taken the decision to use recycled paper for packaging, as part of its commitment to remove plastic from all own label packaging by 2023.
Iceland, which intends to use plastic-free packaging solutions across its ranges, has already eliminated 850 tons of plastic per year from its own label packaging under its commitment made earlier this year.
Iceland managing director Richard Walker said: “People have become so used to buying their products wrapped in plastic, or indeed using plastic bags for loose produce, and this has to stop if we are to turn down the tap on plastics
“This move alone will have a significant impact on our plastics consumption and is one of the first of many solutions that are in development. Our customers support our move to reduce single use plastic and we are pleased to share this important milestone, with many more to come.”