Auchan Retail has announced plans to replace some 55 million plastic food trays, used in its meat and seafood departments, with a compostable vegetable fibre alternative.
The move will see some 1,100 tonnes of plastic removed from the French retailer's supply chain, it said in a statement.
Following a series of laboratory tests, the innovation is being rolled out in stores in PetiteForêt, Cavaillon, Plaisir, Schweighouse sur Moder, FâchesThumesnil and Bègles this month, ahead of a national rollout in March.
Home Compostable
The trays are comprised of materials sourced from agricultural by-products, such as sugar cane residue and are certified as being compostable at home.
The group also said that the trays can help to extend the shelf-life of products, by as much as one day in the case of seafood.
The initiative forms part of the group's Auchan 2022 commitment, through which it is seeking to eliminate plastic packaging for fresh products in its stores, as well as introduce 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging for all of its own-brand products.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
