// Asda announces the removal of plastic bags from produce aisles, saving a 101 million pieces of plastic a year
// After the success of a trial phase, Asda is now rolling it out
// The scheme sees plastic bags in produce aisles replaced by a reusable alternative made from water bottles
Asda is to remove 101 million pieces of single use plastic from its stores each year as rolls out a scheme to introduce a reusable alternative to plastic bags found in produce aisles.
The move follows a nine-store trial and following positive customer and colleague feedback, Asda has now decided to remove all single-use plastic fruit and veg bags from its stores across the UK, instead offering customers a reusable alternative.
Priced at 30p each, Asda’s reusable bags offers customers a reusable alternative to single-use plastic fruit and veg bag, and are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic water bottles.
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Asda is not the first grocer to introduce such bags, with Big 4 rival Sainsbury’s having already rolled out similar reusable bags in its produce aisles.
During its trial period, Asda said it sold an average of 30,000 bags each week as customers continue to support efforts to tackle plastic pollution.
“We know that our customers and colleagues are really passionate about doing the right thing for the environment and this move is just another way we are helping them make sustainable choices, without compromising on the quality of our produce,” Asda produce director Dominic Edwards said.
“Following some really positive feedback on our trial, we’re excited to roll out the removal of the plastic bags across all our stores, as we continue to work towards our plastic reduction targets as a business.”
Asda added that later this year, it would remove the plastic punnets from conference pears, saving an additional 170 tonnes of plastic per year.
These initiatives are part of Asda’s commitment to remove single-use plastic from its business.
Since 2018, the Big 4 grocer has removed 9000 tonnes or plastic and committed to removing 3 billion pieces of plastic from own-brand products by 2025.
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