If you take a walk round a supermarket or look closely at your shopping, you will see that packaging varies greatly from product to product. Packaging is the box, the wrapping or the bag that you buy something in, Some items seem to have much more packaging than is actually needed, other packaging is only there to make something look good. Most packaging is thrown away, but how much of it can be recycled and how much of it is already made from recycled materials.

ASDA believes that they have a responsibility not only to reduce the amount of waste we produce as an organisation, but also to help customers and the wider community do the same. ASDA are always looking to ensure the product packaging is as environmentally friendly as possible.

A few key areas of packaging change;

• All ASDA brand product packaging will be redesigned, with the aim of reducing the weight and volume of packaging they produce by at least 10%.
• Redesigned all salad bags reducing the thickness of the plastic by 15%.
• Removed unnecessary cardboard sleeves on a selection of ready meals.
• Dramatically increasing the amount of fresh produce sold loose from boxes.

The changes are not just in store - All the resources which are claimed through this scheme will be packaged;

• In boxes made from 70% recycled cardboard,
• Filled with biodegradable starch filling for protecting items rather than air filled plastic pockets, and Sealed with biodegradable tape.
• The distribution company also pays a percentage to Oxfam who plant Mangroves in Africa to offset the logistical carbon footprint which also helps the local community.