Sainsbury’s trials plastic-free packaging for avocados

Sainsbury’s has introduced a trial of plastic-free packaging for its own-brand twin-pack avocados, a move expected to save over 20 million pieces of plastic annually if fully implemented.

The trial, currently running across 77 Sainsbury’s stores, features the “by Sainsbury’s Ripe & Ready Avocados” twin-pack in paper-based packaging. This new packaging, made from paper and bamboo netting, is fully recyclable via kerbside collections. A broader rollout across stores and online is planned later this year if the trial proves successful.

To coincide with the trial, the avocado twin-pack is available for £1.35 on Nectar Prices, offering a 30p saving for Nectar customers until 25 January, compared to the regular price of £1.65.

This initiative is part of Sainsbury’s ongoing efforts to reduce plastic waste. In recent years, the retailer has switched from plastic to cardboard punnets for products such as its Taste the Difference berries and cherries, saving over 160 tonnes of plastic annually. Similar changes to mushroom punnets and kitchen and toilet roll packaging have eliminated an additional 1,260 tonnes of plastic per year.

Additionally, Sainsbury’s has introduced a ‘Good to Know’ logo to help customers identify products with improved or more sustainable packaging. This logo highlights the retailer’s efforts to promote sustainability, animal welfare, and community support.

Claire Hughes, Director of Product and Innovation said: Switching to paper packaging across our Ripe & Ready Avocados twin pack is one of the many steps we are taking to fulfill our commitment towards a greener future. The initiative reflects our continuous efforts to help develop more sustainable and innovative packaging solutions and we’re excited for our customers to try out the new packaging in-store.

The plastic-free avocado packaging marks another step in Sainsbury’s commitment to reducing environmental impact while offering more sustainable choices to customers.