UK supermarket chain Iceland Foods has revealed its plan to stop using plastic packaging for all own-brand products within five years.
The development follows a pledge made by Prime Minister Theresa May to cease all avoidable plastic waste within 25 years as part of the government’s environmental plan to tackle pollution.
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The frozen food specialist plans to replace plastic packaging with paper and pulp trays, as well as paper bags.
Iceland managing director Richard Walker was quoted by media sources as saying: “The world has woken up to the scourge of plastics. A truckload is entering our oceans every minute, causing untold damage to our marine environment and ultimately humanity, since we all depend on the oceans for our survival.
“The onus is on retailers, as leading contributors to plastic packaging pollution and waste, to take a stand and deliver meaningful change.”
The announcement comes at a time when plastic is polluting oceans around the world, posing a threat to the marine ecosystem.
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By GlobalDataIn a speech, the PM urged supermarkets to introduce ‘plastic-free’ aisles.
The government also announced new research funding for ‘plastics innovation’ and assistance to developing nations to help them deal with their plastic waste.
