‘Naked’ swedes hit Asda shelves in bid to cut plastic

PLASTIC shrink-wrap covers are being removed from swedes sold by Asda in a move that will reduce plastic waste by 14 tons a year.

Asda sells about six million swedes annually and the decision to remove the plastic from this week stops wrapping going to landfill or being incinerated.

Supermarkets have dramatically changed their positions on the use of packaging in the wake of the Daily Mail’s Turn the Tide on Plastic campaign and a public backlash after the Blue Planet 2 series.

Removing plastic does not reduce the shelf-life of the root vegetables which remains at seven days, Asda said.

Its senior manager for plastic reduction, Nikki Dixon added: ‘Our naked swedes will maintain their taste credentials, without the need for any plastic.’ The store chain is looking at taking plastic off other produce, starting with asparagus. Miss Dixon said: ‘We’re currently scrutinising each and every piece of fruit and veg we sell to see if we can do things differently.

‘Where we can undress our fruit or veg, we’re committed to doing so.’ Morrisons has already decided to stop wrapping 16million British-grown cucumbers in plastic. It is also bringing back traditional brown paper bags for loose fruit and vegetables. Some retailers say wrapping cucumbers in plastic is useful, because it reduces moisture loss and, in theory, extends their life, so reducing food waste.

Earlier this year, the waste reduction organisation WRAP announced a UK Plastic Pact, which was signed by leading stores and brands who are committed to remove all single-use plastic packaging by 2025.