UK-based meat alternative brand Quorn has announced its plans to eliminate more than 297 tonnes of black plastic packaging from its supply chain by the end of June 2018.
This plan is part of a wider focus from Quorn to play a leading role in sustainable nutrition, and is the first step in reducing, and eventually eliminating, black plastic from its supply chain by a major food brand.
A Black Mark
The move comes on the back of an announcement from WRAP in April last year, which said that black plastic was not being recycled by local authorities instead it is being sent to landfill.
“As a founding signatory of WRAP’s UK Plastic Pact, we are very excited to announce this positive change towards increased sustainability of our products. Moving so quickly to remove black plastic is a significant challenge, but one that, as a sustainable company, we view as being of the utmost importance. We view this as the right thing to do, despite the six-figure cost,” said Quorn Foods CEO, Kevin Brennan.
“Our customers will be able to continue enjoying Quorn as part of a balanced and healthy diet, knowing that we are committed to reducing all forms of food waste in our supply chain and to promoting and advancing sustainability without passing the cost onto consumers”.
A Sustainable Leader
A year later, black plastic has been phased out of the majority of Quorn packaging, including some of its bestselling products such as chilled Quorn Mine and Pieces.
In June 2018, in-store packaging of most of the chilled range will move to white and opaque recyclable plastics, replacing 297 tonnes of black plastic with clear and opaque, recyclable alternatives.
Quorn is aiming to phase out the remainder of black plastics in its Deli range, which accounts for approximately 10% of all chilled products, before the end of 2018 and is currently in late-stage discussions and testing with suppliers to ensure this process takes place smoothly and swiftly.
Products like Quorn Mince already produce 90% less GHG emissions, 90% less land usage and 90% water usage than the beef mince equivalent. The company was also the first global meat alternative brand to be awarded the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Footprint.
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
