The new trayless chicken packaging is expected to use 50% less plastic than the previous tray-based packaging and is estimated to save 140 tonnes of plastic per year
The latest revamp is applicable to five of Sainsbury’s products in total. (Credit: J Sainsbury plc)
Sainsbury’s has eliminated single-use plastic trays from its Sainsbury’s whole chicken range to reduce the use of plastic in its packaging.
The new trayless chicken packaging is expected to use 50% less plastic than the previous tray-based packaging and is estimated to save 140 tonnes of plastic per year.
Available at all stores across the UK and online, trayless products will support the reduction of the amount of single-use plastic disposed of at home.
The revamp applies to five of its products in total, which includes all by Sainsbury’s whole chickens ranging from extra small to extra-large sizes, the British supermarket chain said.
The film packaging can be recycled at its front-of-store flexible plastic recycling points available in all Sainsbury’s stores across the UK.
The latest plastic reduction move is part of the supermarket’s pledge to halve its use of own brand plastic packaging by 2025.
Last month, Sainsbury’s removed single-use plastic lids from its own brand dip pots like guacamole, tzatziki and sour cream and chive dip.
The move follows the improvement made by Sainsbury’s in its chicken welfare standards across its poultry supply chain.
The firm has moved to a lower stocking density to ensure that its fresh and frozen own brand by Sainsbury’s chicken can now have 20% more space than the Red Tractor UK industry standard.
Last month, the supermarket chain launched new sustainable cardboard packaging for all its own-brand liquid laundry detergent to help customers reduce plastic at home.
Recyclable at the kerbside or deposit the packaging at recycling banks, the packaging will replace the earlier sleeved plastic bottle packaging across all Sainsbury’s own-brand 750ml laundry detergents with cardboard cartons.
Additionally, the company announced the switch from plastic coffee pods to aluminium in September last year. The move is expected to save over 10 million pieces of plastic annually.