Sainsbury’s reduces plastic with new vacuum-packed lamb mince

Sainsbury’s is transitioning its entire range of fresh lamb mince to vacuum-packed packaging, replacing the traditional plastic tray. This shift is set to reduce plastic usage by 26 tonnes annually.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, the retailer is reducing plastic packaging by at least 65% across all its fresh lamb mince products. The new vacuum-sealed packs, available both in-store and online, will start from £3.95 for 250g. The vacuum process preserves the product by removing oxygen, extending the shelf life and ensuring better storage in freezers.

Despite the change in packaging, the quantity and quality of the lamb mince will remain the same. Additionally, QR codes on the new packs will offer customers cooking tips. The packaging can be recycled at in-store flexible plastic recycling points, including those at Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Richard Crampton, Director of Fresh Food at Sainsbury’s said: We know customers want us to reduce plastic packaging and that’s why we’re committed to making bold changes which benefit the environment as well as helping customers to reduce plastic waste at home. Once again, we’re the first major supermarket to switch to vacuum packed packaging on a popular product that our customers buy week in, week out. This change more than halves the plastic used in our lamb mince range.

Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s switched to cardboard packaging for its own-brand mushrooms, which is expected to eliminate over 775 tonnes of plastic annually, making it one of the retailer’s most significant plastic reduction initiatives.