Countdown trials plastic packaging-free fruit and veges in Auckland stores

Sunday, 26 January 2020

A ban on single-use plastic bags proved the popularity of shopping baskets. Now Countdown is selling them.

A supermarket chain is continuing its efforts to reduce using plastic in stores by removing plastic bags from its produce sections.

In February, the fruit and vegetable section of three Auckland Countdowns will become 'unwrapped'.

These stores are Orewa, Ponsonby and Manukau.

Plastic shelves and plastic bags will be removed, and paper bags will be available instead.

In February, a 10-week trial will see plastic shelving removed from three Auckland Countdown stores.

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Countdown general manager of corporate affairs, safety and sustainability Kiri Hannifin said the chain had invested more than half a million dollars in shelving, packaging and production changes for the 10-week trial.

But it was an investment it needed to make if it was serious about reducing the use of plastic in stores, Hannifin said.

Countdown wanted to trial whether the changes could be sustained, said Kiri Hannifin.

'Like all Kiwis, we are incredibly passionate about the environment and reducing the amount of plastic and packaging in our produce section is something we, along with our customers, are keen to see.

'Unwrapped gives us a chance to give some new things a go with our growers and packhouses. We're really excited about how these stores will look and feel for our customers and team.'

Hannifin said Countdown wanted to trial whether the changes could be sustained.

'We're mindful that packaging or process changes might cause bigger issues so we need to understand this a lot better before we roll something out nationwide.

'For example, without packaging some products might deteriorate far faster, causing food waste - that's something we absolutely want to avoid because of the detrimental impact food waste can have on the environment.'

Throughout the trial, Hannifin said Countdown staff will be speaking to customers and team members to understand their opinions on the changes.

Some products, such as bagged lettuce and herb portions, would remain in plastic as there was a lack of suitable alternatives.

Countdown phased out single-use plastic bags in October 2018. It also introduced bring your own containers nationwide.