New Eco Packaging For Milk Launched

June 22, 2007

Waitrose is taking pioneering steps with one of its suppliers to offer UK shoppers a greener way to buy and store their milk. From 25 June, Waitrose customers will be able to buy a re-usable milk jug with their choice of Calon Wen organic milk, which will be available in strong film eco paks.

The new jug - launching in 21 branches with plans to extend nationally - fits one eco pak at a time, which is easily replaced as and when required. Using 75 per cent less plastic packaging than an equivalent polybottle, the eco paks will provide relief for environmentally-conscious shoppers who are already struggling with bi-weekly rubbish collections.

As one of the most common items in people's shopping baskets, milk packaging consequently makes up a high percentage of waste in the UK. Waitrose is pioneering this scheme which could transform the nation's wastage figures. If the milk jug were to replace polybottles entirely, close to 100,000 tonnes of plastic would be saved every year.

Dairy buyer Jane Hills said, 'A litre polybottle can hold 75 empty eco paks so we believe our customers will appreciate help with their personal environmental and recycling endeavours. We are always looking for ways to reduce packaging and the milk jug is a perfectly simple replacement for the existing polybottles.'

She added, 'Waitrose is delighted to work with the progressive Calon Wen co-operative of farmers to offer our customers the choice of the most revolutionary green packaging seen in the UK.' Calon Wen is a co-operative of family-run organic dairy farms in Wales. They are the first organic dairy to receive the Soil Association Ethical Trade symbol.

The jug, along with eco packs of skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk will be available in 17 London branches, 3 branches in Wales and Waitrose Bath, with future plans to roll out the scheme to more branches.

To find out more visit http://www.calonwen-cymru.com/eco-pak/

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