Co-op is set to remove 115 tonnes of plastic annually from its own-brand ranges with the introduction of three new sustainable packaging solutions across bakery, produce and protein – including a first-to-market innovation.
The convenience retailer has introduced packaging changes to multiple products across three key categories, which will see an industry-first move for mini bakery cake lines, a relaunch of steak packaging and the transition to cardboard punnets for its premium British tomatoes.
Co-op’s first-to-market packaging for its new mini bite bakery ranges will switch from traditional plastic tubs to a bag-in-a-box format. This change results in an 87 percent reduction in plastic usage, which will save 18 tonnes of plastic annually.
Co-op’s Irresistible British steak range of three premium cuts will now be presented in a new fibre-based composite packaging, generating a total saving of 20 tonnes of plastic. Finally, Co-op is switching from plastic punnets to solid board punnets for its own-brand premium tomato lines, which include two variants and will avoid 77 tonnes of plastic each year.
The alternative packaging initiatives will not only reduce plastic use in the retail supply chain, the changes will also facilitate easier recycling for shoppers at home, as the new formats can be recycled curbside along with paper.
These new sustainable packaging moves across the three categories will mean that since 2018, Co-op has removed almost 5,000* tonnes of plastic from its own brand packaging. Last year alone, Co-op made the move across several popular lines to alternative packaging and saved more than 420 tonnes of plastic, from rolling out paper banana bands across all banana lines to removing plastic lids from houmous pots.
Heather Thomas, group property and sustainability director at Co-op, said: “Co-op is committed to making a difference to the lives of our members and the world in which they live. These new packaging developments will have a substantial impact across our operations, eliminating millions of pieces of plastic and importantly simplifying home recycling for our members and customers.
“The past year has continued to bring ongoing climate and environment crises in the UK and beyond, and we all must do more - Co-op is focused on working with suppliers and, within its own operations, to continue to reduce its plastic and carbon footprint.”
Soft-plastic recycling units, which are available in 2,300 of the convenience retailer’s stores, enable consumers to recycle plastic film that often forms part of the packaging of food items. The units have been introduced into communities across the UK by Co-op in order to increase recycling and reduce the amount of plastics going to landfill.
Co-op has committed to reaching net zero across its operations by 2035 and entire business by 2040. In March 2024, Co-op became the first convenience retailer to have its net zero targets validated by the globally-recognised Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In its updated Climate Action Plan, Co-op further committed to sourcing renewable energy via corporate PPAs and investing in supporting suppliers and producers to reduce absolute carbon emissions.