The Netherlands’ largest food retailer says it has chopped out foliage and packaging from its bunched carrot line
Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn says it has started selling bunched carrots with less foliage and less plastic, as it looks to make its supply chains more efficient and sustainable.
The move follows its recent decision to introduce crownless pineapples – a move it said had been a successful one – and is part of a wider effort to help the environment, growers, customers, and stores.
According to the retailer, stocking bunched carrots without their tops allows it to cut around 30 per cent of the packaging otherwise required, as well as 62 truck journeys per year – equal to more than 39 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
It also means the foliage is left on the land as a natural fertiliser, it noted.
“At Albert Heijn, we’re always looking for new ways to make products and supply chains more sustainable. Wherever possible, we want to reduce our impact on the planet,” commented Brigitta Hogenes, Albert Heijn’s head of sustainability, quality, and health.
“The introduction of carrots with reduced foliage is another concrete example of how we combine sustainability, practicality, and customer focus. Albert Heijn remains committed to innovations that benefit both the environment and customer satisfaction.”
