German retailer Tegut has announced it is introducing reusable bags for fruits and vegetables.
In a bid to offer an alternative to single-use plastics, the retailer will offer washable, durable mesh bags, which are kinder to the environment, the retailer said.
The initiative by Tegut is the latest in a European retail sector that is transitioning away from single-use plastics bags and packaging.
A European Trend
As awareness about plastic grows amongst consumersm and with the European Commission recently proposing new legislation to ban several single-use plastic products, there is a EU-wide movement from the industry to introduce more sustainable alternatives.
In Spain, Eroski recently announced its intention to move away from plastic bags, offering several alternatives.
In Denmark, Coop announced last week it would give away 700,000 reusable bags to shoppers, and plans to entice members to use them by giving them a one-krone bonus into their member account, each and every time.
In Romania, Carrefour announced in mid-June it was the first retailer to nationally roll out biodegradable bags.
Though the shift away from plastics has the potential to raise costs for packaging firms as underlined by Moody's, it may also open up new opportunities to develop 'value-added' products, for which higher prices could be charged.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Matthieu Chassain. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
