Asda Glasshoughton to be part of nationwide trial to ditch plastic packaging

A Castleford supermarket has been chosen to take part in a national trial to remove plastic packaging from fruit and veg.
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The Asda superstore at Glasshoughton will be one of just nine stores across the country to take part in the trial, which is designed to tackle plastic pollution.

Under the scheme, plastic bags will be removed from fruit and vegetable bags, and replaced with reusable 'Veggio' bags made from 100 per cent recycled plastic water bottles, which will be available to purchase for 30p.

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If successful, it is estimated that the trial could save more than 3.5 million plastic bags a year, equivalent to around 141 tonnes of plastic waste.

A Castleford supermarket has been chosen to take part in a national trial to remove plastic packaging from fruit and veg. Photo: AsdaA Castleford supermarket has been chosen to take part in a national trial to remove plastic packaging from fruit and veg. Photo: Asda
A Castleford supermarket has been chosen to take part in a national trial to remove plastic packaging from fruit and veg. Photo: Asda

Kevin Patel, Director of Produce at Asda said: “This is a really exciting step in our journey as we continue to look at innovative ways we can reduce unnecessary plastic from across the business and meet our target of reducing own brand plastic by 15% by 2021.

We know that our customers and colleagues are really passionate about sustainability and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to do their bit for the environment, without having to compromise on quality."

The trial will begin on Monday, September 7.

It is the latest innovative move announced by Asda, following the launch of the first recyclable blueberry punnet earlier this year, and comes as Wakefield Council announces it will hire a new senior manager to head up its approach to climate change.

The full list of stores involved in the trial is: Harrogate, York SS, York SM, Middleton, Killingbeck, Swansea, Bridgend, Quedgeley and Glasshoughton.