Sainsbury’s has embarked on a significant environmental initiative by replacing plastic with cardboard for its own-brand mushroom punnets, heralding its largest single plastics removal effort to date. The move is anticipated to save over 775 tonnes of plastic, establishing Sainsbury’s as the first UK retailer to introduce cardboard punnets for all mushrooms across its stores.

By the end of January, the change will be implemented across all 13 own-brand lines, encompassing popular varieties like whole baby button, closed cup, organic, and chestnut mushrooms. Customers can already find bySainsbury’s and SO Organic mushrooms in cardboard punnets both in-store and online, with Taste the Difference lines set to follow suit by the end of January.

Claire Hughes, Director of Product and Innovation, highlighted the retailer’s commitment to reducing plastic packaging, stating, “The initiative reflects our commitment towards a healthier and more sustainable future as we continue to look at ways to innovate our packaging and reduce and replace plastic where possible.”

Notably, the film packaging can still be recycled at Sainsbury’s front-of-store flexible plastics recycling points, available in all Sainsbury’s UK supermarkets, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainability.