Co-op axes plastic packaging from own-brand Easter eggs

The retailer is cutting the use of plastic inner packaging and windows for all five of its hollow Fairtrade Easter eggs, which will remove more than 14 tonnes of plastic.

Iain Ferguson, environment manager at Co-op, said: “Easter egg packaging is renowned for its excessive use of unnecessary plastic, whether to protect the chocolate or to display the design of the confectionery.

“Our teams have worked incredibly hard to deliver a new solution that ensures the egg is still protected whilst allowing our customers to see all the aspects of the eggs and their stunning designs. This is a really positive step within the packaging industry, especially for seasonal Easter lines.”

The move comes as Co-op is preparing to roll out the UK’s largest ever scheme to collect and recycle plastic film as part of its ambition to make 100% of its own-brand packaging easy to recycle by the end of this year.

Michael Briggs, head of sustainability at Which?, said: “Our research shows the recyclability of grocery packaging is important to consumers, yet almost half of packaging used by supermarkets is not widely recyclable, so it is good to see the Co-op taking steps to reduce its use of plastic packaging.”

Co-op’s Fairtrade, own-brand Easter eggs will launch in stores nationwide from 15 February 2021. The range consists of: Co-op Irresistible Hand-Finished Golden Praline Egg (300g/£8), Co-op Irresistible Extra Thick Valencia Orange Crunch Egg (220g/£6.00), Co-op Salted Caramel & Pretzel Belgian Milk Chocolate Loaded Egg (200g/£5.00), Co-op Golden Honeycomb Belgian Milk Chocolate Loaded Egg (200g/£5.00), and Co-op Free From Choc Easter Egg & Caramel Flavour Truffles (120g/£3.50).