Packs and Closures

Cost is likely to be the main factor preventing Sainsbury’s from completely removing PVC from its packaging, a pledge it made a year ago.

A spokesman told Packaging News that the complete phasing out of PVC, which it promised last May, would be the “natural outcome” of its guidelines for packaging selection, which list PVC as “the last resort”.

But as a rule, the cost incurred in moving away from PVC was something Sainsbury’s was committed to “not passing on to customers”.

Packaging consultant Terry Robins said PVC remained a popular material because of its cost and ease of use.

Sainsbury’s has made several changes to its packaging in recent months, including a move to greater use of compostable materials as well as clearer labelling on recycling.

The supermarket has also shifted its Taste the Difference soft fruit range into packaging made from recycled bottles.

In partnership with Sainsbury’s, packaging manufacturer Sharpak has decided to produce its SP range in R-Apet, which consists of a minimum 60% post-consumer regrind.

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BAGS FOR LIFE
Sainsbury’s is leading the retailers’ lastest efforts to cut plastic bag use. As Packaging News went to press, Sainsbury’s estimated that 7m ‘bags for life’would be given out for free as part of its one-day ban on plastic carrier bags on 27 April.

Asda also is trying to help its customers “change the habit of a lifetime” with a scheme to reduce the number of carrier bags it gives out. Shoppers who do not take new carrier bags will be given vouchers, which can be exchanged for “green goodies for schools” such as can crushers.

Asda hopes to further encourage customers to use fewer bags by giving away 1m ‘bags for life’ in exchange for customers returning five old ones. It will also open ‘bag-free’ checkouts.

If the trial is successful, Asda will consider making it a permanent feature in its shops.

More than 8bn plastic bags are taken from UK stores each year, with the majority ending up in landfill.