Tesco is backing an “effective government intervention” on banning fresh fruit and vegetable plastic.
A Tesco spokesperson told the Grocer that the intervention should start with the “most achievable” products, “for example where multiple retailers share the same supplier”.
The comments come after Wrap report found that the UK’s plastic pact could meet its target to ensure that at least 70% of packaging is being effectively recycled and composted and ensuring an average of 30% recycled content across all plastic packaging.
“Government intervention will ensure change is made at scale and create a level playing field, where packaging changes will not put any one retailer at a competitive disadvantage,” said the Tesco spokesperson added.
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Earlier this year, Tesco revealed it had removed more than two billion pieces of plastic from its UK business since 2019.
Other supermarkets in the UK are also moving towards using less plastic on their shelves.
Aldi is currently trialling four new lines of loose fruit and vegetables in selected stores across the country.
If successful and rolled out to all Aldi stores, the move could see the supermarket removing a further 94 tonnes of packaging each year.
A Waitrose spokesperson also told the Grocer it is looking at revising its policy if it came to a ban.
“All retailers have a responsibility to eliminate unnecessary packaging, and make sure any items used are easily recyclable,” the spokesperson said.
“We also need to see collective action, with retailers working together to find solutions on a national and global level.”
A Lidl spokesperson also added: “Continued collaboration across the sector is key to progress, and whilst we support positive developments that help the industry to meet targets, they must be realistic and backed by robust evidence to avoid unintended consequences such as an increase in unnecessary food waste.”
