SuperValu launches industry-first compostable, reusable shopping bags
SuperValu has taken another step in the fight against plastic by introducting 100% compostable, reusable shopping bags - a first for the industry in Ireland.
Print20 August 2019
The ubiquitous “bag for life” has become a part of everyday life in Ireland – so much so that we all tend to have far too many taking up space in cupboards and drawers, thus defeating the purpose.
With this in mind, SuperValu has announced that from 9 September, 100% compostable and reusable shopping bags will be available in stores nationwide. A first for any Irish retailer, the introduction of these bags will result in a massive 2.5 million plastic bags being removed from circulation. This is the first bag available in Irish supermarkets that is both reusable and compostable, and it follows SuperValu’s recent launch of compostable fruit and veg bags in stores.
Both initiatives are steps SuperValu is taking as part of its sustainable packaging strategy to make 100% of its own brand and fresh fruit and vegetable packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. Already an enormous 113 tonnes of plastic have been removed from fruit and veg packaging.
100% compostable and made from a blend of renewable raw materials, the SuperValu shopping bag is priced at 89c. When the bag has been used as many times as possible and is ready for the bin, it can be disposed of in the brown bin that is found in most homes and many businesses and is then fully broken down once taken to industrial composting sites, turning into water and CO2 within 90 days.
Martin Kelleher, managing director of SuperValu, said the launch is another step in helping customers make sustainable choices. “Reducing our environmental impact on the planet is a core focus of our overall strategy to help build sustainable communities,” said Kelleher, “and we have already made significant steps forward in this area.
“We are delighted to be the first Irish supermarket to introduce 100% reusable compostable bags in-store,” he added, “and will continue to explore ways of reducing plastic in innovative ways, making sure we meet our pledge to make 100% of our own brand and fresh fruit and vegetable packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.”
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