WAITROSE is to trial a process which it said will ensure its plastic trays used for own-brand ready meals will be made using materials from British household recycling.
The move – which it said is a UK supermarket first and comes in partnership with WRAP, Pilgrim’s Europe, and Faerch – will use recycled trays, pots, and tubs to create trays for some of Waitrose’s curry range, before expanding to other lines.
Explaining that the initiative will ensure that high-quality food-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), sourced from the UK, remains in the packaging supply chain, Waitrose added that this will reduce the need for a significant amount of virgin material and promoting resource circulation rather than downcycling.
The new trays are set to be on Waitrose shelves from mid-August and will first be found across a selection of its ready meal range, before expanding to a number of other lines.
Denise Mathieson, manager of packaging innovation and delivery at Waitrose, said, “This is an exciting example of packaging innovation that helps us not only utilise plastic that is often devalued in the recycling process, but allow it to be reprocessed again and again.
“It’s been wonderful to collaborate with our fellow industry experts on this project, who share the same passion for establishing effective, circular processes as we do.”
Jonathan Moore, sector specialist packaging at WRAP, added, “We are really delighted by the collaborative efforts of members of this sprint group who’ve delivered an impressive trial. This clearly demonstrates the potential that UK household collected PET trays have to form a circular material – becoming new PET trays after use, and reducing the need for virgin polymers. One step closer to a circular economy for plastics.”
Ruth Price, strategic development manager at Faerch, commented, “Faerch strongly advocates for circularity. Instead of depleting more resources, we strive to maximise the use of those already available. Our initiative collaborates closely with suppliers to drive product changes and supports broader industry efforts.”
Simon Langley, packaging development manager at Pilgrim’s Europe, said, “As members of the UK Plastics Pact, it’s encouraging to see the level of collaboration involved in this industry-first initiative, proving that this system can and does work for food trays, and demonstrating its potential for UK-wide rollout.
“Projects like this, with so many diverse stakeholders involved, inevitably come with its challenges. It was vital that we did our part on the factory floor, rigorously testing the recycled food trays to ensure they meet our demanding technical specifications and robust standards.”
