Tesco Ireland has unveiled plans to trial new meat packaging format on its mince products which will help reduce plastic use by 68 percent. The retailer will replace its existing Tesco own-brand mince packaging with a flow wrap alternative known as a ‘pillow pack’ which ensures the product is kept intact without compromising on quality or taste. It will replace the current plastic tray and film lid, starting with the Tesco Irish lean Steak Mince 5% fat, 470g.
Tesco Ireland, Fresh Food Category Director, John Brennan said, “This new pillow pack packaging uses 68 percent less plastic and guarantees the same high-quality look, taste and feel that our customers know and expect from us. The new packs will hit the shelves in July and will be used on minced meat products. The plastic reduction element is significant and has the potential to save around 100 tonnes of plastic each year, if the trial is rolled out across all mince product lines.”
The retailer will trial the new mince packaging in its Tesco Irish lean steak mince 5% fat, 470g and if successful, more of its mince products lines will make the switch to the ‘pillow pack’. This flow wrap packaging is already in use by certain retailers in the Netherlands and in Sweden.
This latest packaging change is part of Tesco’s ongoing commitment to ensure it never uses more packaging than is necessary. Packaging does an important job. It protects products and reduces food waste. But it should never find its way into the environment. That's why at Tesco Ireland we follow the '4Rs' – Remove where we can, Reduce it where we can’t, Reuse more of it, and Recycle what’s left.
Tesco has been appointed one of Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) champions for 2023-2024 by Minister Eamon Ryan. As a grocery retailer, Tesco Ireland is particularly committed to ‘SDG12 which encourages ‘more sustainable consumption and production patterns.’ Tesco was the first major Irish grocery retailer to partner with the food-sharing app OLIO, a volunteer organisation that connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus food can be shared. With the support of both organisations, Tesco has redistributed the equivalent of over 18 million meals to help those most in need across Ireland to date.
