With news on: Asda changes Easter egg shape to cut plastic packaging; Which? claims unclear labelling leads to poor toiletries recycling; MPA says 60% of Brits need help cutting plastic; and, Wrights plastics designs recycled PVC shelf liner and ticket strip.
Asda changes Easter egg shape to cut packaging
Supermarket giant Asda is to change the shape of its Extra Special Easter egg range so its packaging can be made with 98% less plastic.
The supermarket chain claims this will save 16 tonnes of plastic every year.
Asda says the range is made with 100% sustainable, UTZ certified Belgian chocolate
Shelley Solomon, senior director of Impulse Grocery at Asda, said: “We are passionate about delivering our commitment to customers to use less and recycle more, whilst continuing to deliver on quality and price.
“This move marks the next step in our journey as we strive to make all our own-brand packaging 100% recyclable by 2025.
The move will see the egg change from a wider, round shape to a thinner, oval one, meaning it does not need to be supported by plastic packaging.
Ms Solomon said: “We’re committed to a 15% reduction in plastic by February 2021 and through new product innovation, we are continually reducing plastic on our own-brand products.
“We hope the knowledge that consumers can still eat delicious, sustainable chocolate whilst reducing their plastic footprint helps to put a spring in their step this Easter.”
The Easter collection will be available in store and online from 10 February.
Which? claims unclear labelling leads to poor toiletries recycling
Consumer watchdog Which? claims unclear labelling on toiletries leads to confusion around the recycling of many partially or even wholly recyclable products.
Which? says it examined the environmental credentials of 20 common bathroom products identified by its members. It found 12 (60%) of the products had no recycling information on the label.
Which? found 12 (60%) of the products it examined had no recycling information on the label
Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services at Which?, said: “Recycling and sustainability are a high priority for many consumers – so the lack of clear information on the products we looked at is inexcusable in this day and age.
“With the packaging of many recyclable bathroom toiletries going into landfill in the UK, brands must take action to ensure bottles of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel are clearly labelled and can be disposed of in an efficient way.”
The common products were derived from a survey of members conducted in July 2019 to determine their habits and understanding of the plastic packaging in the products they use in the bathroom.
Which? said only six of the products (30%) it looked at advised consumers the item should be recycled with specific instructions on how to do so.
‘ 60% of Brits need help cutting plastic’
According to research conducted by accountancy firm Michael Price Associates, 88% of Brits say they always try to recycle, though 60% admit they need help to reduce the amount of plastic they use.
Single use plastic include items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled (image: Shutterstock)
The firm also claims more than 3%, the equivalent of two million UK adults, admit to never recycling any plastic.
Stuart Bentley, delivery manager at MPA, said: “Packaging is a huge industry in the UK, accounting for annual sales of around £11 billion, and our research has found that consumers are shunning single use plastics and unsustainable packaging in a bid to reduce their carbon footprint.
“Although there is some way to go before we become a completely plastic-free society, government schemes such as the plastic straw ban and its investment into making the country a global leader in sustainable packaging will definitely play its part.”
The firm says its findings suggest more than four in five (83%) Brits support the plastic straw ban.
Wrights plastics designs recycled PVC shelf liner and ticket strip
Plastic manufacturer Wrights Plastics has designed a point of sale shelf liner and ticket strip made from recycled PVC for health and beauty giant Superdrug.
The liners in situ at Superdrug in Croydon Central
It claims the product’s carbon footprint was reduced further by using recycled material from the UK instead of virgin granules imported from the USA and that it can also be recycled at the end of its lifecycle.
Wrights Plastics was awarded the tender to provide Hair Colourants shelf liners manufactured from recycled material to Superdrug in late 2018.
The product has now been rolled out to more than 600 Superdrug branches across the UK.
Established in 1969, West Bromwich-based Wrights Plastics manufactures plastic products from industrial components to retail display.
With clients including Marks and Spencer, Selfridges and The John Lewis Partnership, the company claims it has an annual turnover of around £10 million.
The post News in brief (30/01/20) appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
