// Asda’s Aberdeen Angus steaks will now be sold in fully recyclable cardboard trays
// This will remove over 2m black plastic trays from across the range and save 50 tonnes of plastic
// It forms part of Asda’s target to make all of its own-brand packaging 100% recyclable by 2025
Asda has announced that its range of Aberdeen Angus steaks will no longer be sold in black plastic trays, and instead be sold in fully recyclable cardboard trays.
The Big 4 grocer said the removal of over two million black plastic trays across its entire Aberdeen Angus steak range will see over 50 tonnes of plastic saved annually.
It also said the price of the steaks will remain unchanged and the changes will be rolled out in stores and online.
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“There is still a lot of confusion around packaging and what can or cannot be recycled,” Asda steak buyer Gavin Thompson said.
“The move to cardboard trays means customers don’t have to prioritise plastic reduction over grocery decision making, ensuring they can continue purchasing quality steak at the same price, but with the added value of recycle-ready packaging.”
The move is part of Asda’s ongoing sustainability commitment and ambition to make all of its own-brand packaging 100 per cent recyclable by 2025.
Asda said it has already removed 6500 tonnes of packaging from own-brand products in the last 18 months, including on baby wipes, greeting cards, bedding, pizza trays and swedes.
It also started removing plastic bags from online deliveries in a bid to save over 500 tonnes of plastic each year.
However, Asda not the only major retailer that has set itself ambitious plastic waste reduction targets.
Last week, Big 4 rival Sainsbury’s pledged to reduce use of plastic packaging by 50 per cent by 2025.
This new target includes all branded food packaging, Sainsbury’s own-brand food packaging and packaging across all of Sainsbury’s operations.
Waitrose, Iceland, M&S Food, Lidl and othjer Big 4 rivals Morrisons and Tesco have also started to step up their own efforts in the war on plastic and food waste with their own various sustainability initiatives.
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