Futures Forum: Plastic-free shopping
Futures Forum: Plastic-free supermarkets
And they're bringing in new labelling:
New labelling helps UK shoppers avoid plastic packaging
Iceland is among the first supermarkets to introduce the new ‘trust mark’ that shows shoppers which food packaging has no hidden plastic in it
A new plastic-free “trust mark” is being introduced today, allowing shoppers to see at a glance whether products use plastic in their packaging.
The label will be prominently displayed on food and drink products, making it easier for consumers to choose greener alternatives.
UK supermarket Iceland and Dutch supermarket chain Ekoplaza - which introduced plastic-free aisles earlier this year – will start using the new labelling, alongside Teapigs teabags, but campaigners hope others will follow suit.
“Our trust mark cuts through the confusion of symbols and labels and tells you just one thing – this packaging is plastic-free and therefore guilt-free,” said Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet, the campaign group behind the scheme.
As well as items obviously wrapped in plastic, scores of everyday products – from tinned beans to tea bags – have some plastic in their packaging.
Sutherland said she hoped the new labelling system would revolutionise the way people shop and lead to a radical reduction in plastic waste.
“Finally shoppers can be part of the solution not the problem,” she added.
Quick guide
Plastics and our throwaway society
There has been growing concern about the devastating impact of plastic on the oceans and wider environment. Plastic pollution is now so widespread that it has been found in tap water, fish and sea salt – with unknown consequences for human health.
Iceland will begin to adopt the new labelling system on relevant own-label products this month, and roll it out across its range, which it has said will be free of single-use plastic packaging by 2023.
Ekoplaza said it would be rolling out the trust mark in 74 outlets across the Netherlands.
Earlier this year the Guardian revealed that supermarkets are responsible for 1m tonnes of plastic waste a year. A Plastic Planet has been campaigning for supermarkets to introduce plastic-free aisles and there has been growing pressure on the major retailers to do more to tackle the problem.
Iceland managing director, Richard Walker, said: “With the grocery retail sector accounting for more than 40% of plastic packaging in the UK, it’s high time that Britain’s supermarkets came together to take a lead on this issue.
“I’m proud to lead a supermarket that is working with A Plastic Planet to realise a plastic-free future for food and drink retail.
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