Lidl veg bags

Lidl has pledged to cut its own label plastic in half by 2025 and will double its refillable packaging options by next year.

The announcement comes as part of sweeping new plastic reduction measures to eliminate plastic waste at the discounter supermarket.

New targets from the supermarket include having 100 per cent of own label and branded packaging to be recyclable, reusable and refillable by 2025, as well as using recycled material for half of its packaging by 2025.

The retailer said it will reserve the right to delist suppliers that do not align with their plastic reduction goals.

Ryan McDonnell, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB said: “Our unique business model allows us to adapt and innovate at pace and we are proud of the progress we have made to date in tackling excessive plastic use.

Protecting the environment is a responsibility we take very seriously, and we know there is more to do. This is why we have significantly expanded our targets to help accelerate the impact we are having on cutting plastics, and we’re proud to be working collaboratively with our suppliers to find solutions.”

The retailer will also ensure that, by January 2021, 100 per cent of pulp and fibre-based own label packaging in its core food range will be either responsibly sourced from FSC, PEFC, or equivalent, or made using recycled content.