Delhaize is repackaging its Belgian strawberries in cardboard boxes and intends to save 17,000kg of plastic by the end of this year, with an on-pack QR code providing further information and recipes.
Demand for strawberries is increasing year-on-year, with the strawberry market undergoing annual growth of around 10% for the last few years. Consumers are said to want an extended strawberry season, starting earlier in the spring and ending later in the autumn.
Delhaize’s strawberries, which are grown exclusively for the retailer at the Royakkers strawberry farm, are set to be placed in cardboard boxes as soon as they are picked. This is set to minimize handling and help maintain product quality.
Consumers can scan the QR code on the box to learn more about the origins of the strawberries, information about the local grower and cultivation method, and recipes containing strawberries.
As more growers switch to cardboard packaging, Delhaize suggests that annual plastic savings could reach 52,000kg.
The retailer adds that Sciensano’s Business Impact Assessment has praised its health and sustainability initiatives, and that its participation in the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is set to lower the ecological footprint across its value chain by 45% between 2018 and 2030.
Earlier this year, DS Smith and Priméale introduced their own fibre-based punnet for Priméale’s Vegetable Kit range. It is designed to be fully recyclable at end-of-life and, until that point, keep produce fresh at the necessary temperatures.
Xact Prepack and Frutmac went on to reveal recyclable cardboard trays and punnets for fruits, vegetables, and baked goods, crafted from materials like conventional corrugated board and grass paper.
Most recently, Co-op has rolled out solid board punnets for its premium tomato lines – a move expected to save 77 tonnes of plastic every year. Together with redesigned packaging for its steak cut and mini-bite bakery products, the retailer plans to avoid an annual total of 115 tonnes of plastics in its own-brand products.
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