SuperValu has announced that from 9th September 100% compostable and reusable shopping bags will be available in its stores.
A first for any Irish retailer, the introduction of these bags to SuperValu stores will result in a massive 2.5 million plastic bags being removed from circulation.
The shopping bag that is priced at 89 cent is the first bag available in Irish supermarkets that is both reusable and compostable.
“Our customers expect SuperValu to help them make more sustainable choices and we’re committed to doing just that," said Martin Kelleher, managing director of SuperValu.
"Reducing our environmental impact on the planet is a core focus of our overall strategy to help build sustainable communities and we have already made significant steps forward in this area."
Renewable Raw Materials
The retailer explained in a statement that the bag is made with a blend of renewable raw materials.
When a shopper has used it as many times as possible, it can be disposed of in the brown bin that is found in most homes and many businesses and is then fully broken down once taken to industrial composting sites, turning into water and CO2 within 90 days.
Sustainable Packaging Strategy
This announcement follows the retailers introduction of fully compostable fruit and vegetable bags for customers in 2018.
To date this move has resulted in 2.7 million single-use plastic bags being removed from stores.
Both initiatives are just two steps SuperValu is taking as part of their sustainable packaging strategy to make 100% of its Own Brand and fresh fruit and vegetable packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.
Already 113 tonnes of plastic have been removed from fruit and veg packaging; by eliminating plastic where possible, introducing compostable alternatives and reducing the weight of plastic packaging, the group said.
In order to 'reduce and replace' conventional single-use plastic in-store further, other loose items will be trialled in SuperValu stores with some stores already selling loose coffee, spices, tea, pulses and cheeses.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
