A new initiative by the UK’s largest retailer aims to reduce packaging and save customers money.
Kitchen foil is a staple item in many households, but it also comes with a hidden cost: the cardboard tube that holds the foil together.
According to Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer, these tubes generate over 100,000 lbs of unnecessary waste yearly. That’s why, following on from the introduction of tube-free toilet paper rolls, Tesco has decided to launch a new range of tube-free rolls of kitchen foil, which are expected to save 16 million tubes from going to landfill annually.
The tube-free foil is made by Wrapex, which has developed a patented technology that allows the foil to be wound tightly without a tube. The foil is also perforated, so customers can easily tear off the needed amount.
The new rolls are 10% cheaper than the equivalent tube-based foil, and they take up less space in the cupboard and in the shopping bag. Tesco claims that the tube-free foil is the first of its kind in the UK and that it is part of its commitment to reduce its own-brand packaging by 15% by 2023.
“We’re always looking for ways to make our products more sustainable, and we know that reducing waste is important to our customers too. By introducing tube-free kitchen foil, we’re not only helping to protect the environment, but we’re also saving our shoppers money and giving them a better product. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Tesco Director of Quality, Sarah Bradbury
The tube-free foil is available in selected Tesco stores across the UK, and will be rolled out nationwide in the coming months. Customers can find it in the same aisle as the regular foil, and look for the green label that says “no tube, less waste”. Tesco hopes that the initiative will inspire other retailers and manufacturers to follow suit and eliminate unnecessary packaging from their products.
Further Reading
Check out Tesco’s post on this topic.
