Auchan goes plastic free

In partnership with the packaging specialists Alliance Packaging Group and Silver plastics, Auchan retail has developed vegetable fibre trays that are 100% compostable at home. Auchan claims exclusivity and specifies that "55 million classic trays will eventually disappear, representing 1,100 tonnes of plastic per year".

These new trays, without glue, are made of materials from agricultural by-products, such as sugar cane residues. The label and packaging film will also be certified as compostable at home by 2022. The expiration date for the products in the trays has also been extended.

After the test phase in 2020, the trays will start being used in from February in six shops. Distaptch across the entire network of stores will begin in March. By 2022, Auchan Retail plans to eliminate plastic packaging for the food service sector and fruit and vegetables in all the countries where it operates. The retailer also wants to make 100% of its private label packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable.