Albert Heijn is taking steps to reduce their plastic use after planning to scrap wrapped plastic around peppers, chilli peppers, bananas and carrots. According to NOS, this will save 270,000 kilos of plastic.
Pressure from consumers and the government have meant that supermarkets are finally starting to listen. We even posted last year about the Netherlands having the first completely free-from plastic aisle in a supermarket. However, on this occassion, this new change will be ruled over all the Albert Heijn stores soon, after a successful test in a shop in Hoofddorf (running since March). According to NOS, Supermarkets have said that by 2025 they want to have a reduction of plastic use by 20%. Albert Heijn has a 25% target, which means that other items are in the running to go plastic-free.
What can the consumer do?
There are plenty of steps we can take as consumers to reduce plastic use and I’ll list just a couple. When buying fruit and veg in the supermarket, ask yourself ‘do you really need that plastic bag they put out for you so you can put your fruit and veg in there?’ Pretty much always, the answer is no. Most fruit and veg have hard outer skins so they won’t get crushed (and you don’t always eat that part anyway). If you’re fussed, take a reusable bag with you.
When you go shopping always remember to take a bag with you (the long-life ones are best – I’ve had mine for 3 years now and they are still as good as new). If you think you’re going to forget, leave a bag where ever you usually go. So in the car, in the office and at home.
What other tips do you have? Do you think supermarkets should be doing more? Let us know in the comments!
It would be interesting to mention some of the current initiatives that are bringing this problem to the surface, such as the Plastic Soup, Recycling Network and the Refuse Plastic Movement. It might enriche the article and allow people to know how to be more involved
There is so much plastic in this shop! I feel bad to buy here. It could be a strong message to leave it at the desk after purchase, saying ‘I don’t need this’.