Customers in the produce aisles at the Co-op may wish to avert their eyes from October 1, as the supermarket becomes the UK’s first retailer to launch ‘naked’ cucumbers.
The group said that by removing the plastic wrapping from the fruit, it will save eight tonnes of plastic a year.
Instead of wrapping, the supermarket will use cardboard boxes lined with long-life ‘Smart’ liners, which reduce any negative impacts of removing the plastic wrapping such as a possible loss of moisture, or a shorter shelf life.
Andrew Wright, chief executive of Long Life Solutions, who produce the Smart liners, said: “Long Life Solutions has been proving its environmental technology for the last five years with a focus on reducing emissions, packaging and food waste. This initiative with the Co-op is a market first where Smart technology is helping to eliminate tonnes of packaging both from the supply chain and the consumer.”
Kate Jones, the Co-op’s head of range development added:
“Following a 12 week trial, our customers have told us they are pleased to see that we are taking steps to reduce packaging, and are more than happy to buy their cucumbers without the usual plastic wrap.”
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