Photo source: John Cameron | Unsplash
Lidl UK to switch entirely to compostable plastic bags for fruit and vegetables
Thomas Reiner | 17.11.2021
UK stores of discount giant Lidl will replace all single-use plastic bags for fruit and vegetables with compostable bags from January 2022. The move shows how intensively and across the board retailers are looking for solutions to minimize the use of conventional plastic in particular. Retail is and remains one of the main drivers of circular economy. Especially in the area of consumer packaged goods, this will remain the case for the foreseeable future – and will continue to increase.
Lidl, a retailer belonging to the Schwarz Group, is the world’s largest discounter by stores. The company has committed to making all of its private label products recyclable, reusable or refillable to the greatest extent possible by 2025.
This is based on a strategy called “REset Plastic.” It aims to eliminate plastic waste. To achieve this, the company is focusing on a general reduction in the use of plastics and on the recyclability of the plastics used.
Compostable bags for the UK
As part of REset Plastic, all single-use plastic bags for fruit and vegetables in UK stores will be switched to compostable versions from early 2022. The switch will save 275 tons of conventional single-use plastics per year, according to the company.
The new bag can be reused by consumers at home as a caddy liner for food waste collection or for their home composting.
Retailers are leading the way.
Lidl’s latest initiative shows once again how intensively and consistently retailers are looking in all corners for solutions to reduce plastic use. Where plastic cannot be completely substituted, it must at least be compostable or made from recyclable material.
Retail is and remains one of the main drivers of circular economy. Especially in the area of consumer packaged goods, there is no end to this development in sight – on the contrary.
