Saving a packet

Our challenge …

In 2005, 13 of the country’s biggest and best known retailers pledged to tackle the issue of waste caused by product packaging, by signing the Courtauld Commitment.

At ASDA we were one of the first retailers to sign up to the agreement, setting the target of reducing our own brand packaging weight by 10% and later leading the way with a goal of 25% reduction.

‘The 10% target alone would’ve meant a massive reduction with the potential to make a real difference’ explains ASDA’s Packaging Buyer, Shane Monkman. ‘However, as we began to examine our products more closely, we realised that there was an opportunity to challenge ourselves further and really raise the bar!’

Our approach…

In 2007, we at ASDA became the first retailer to set a new voluntary target of 25% packaging reduction by the end of 2008 — more than doubling our initial commitment. Other retailers have since begun to increase their targets, but none have set themselves a deadline of 2008.

It’s something Shane Monkman is quietly confident about: ‘We’ve embarked on a systematic aisle by aisle, product by product review of our entire range. By bringing our suppliers, the packaging manufacturers and WRAP together on this, we have been able to put together a comprehensive plan — to the point where we’ve got literally thousands of different products going through the ‘ASDA process’.’

An example of ASDA’s activity is the launch of olive oil in completely recyclable plastic bottles. These bottles are over 30% lighter than the glass bottles they replaced, so we can get 12% more bottles on every pallet, which reduces their carbon footprint.

Not all of the changes are as immediately obvious. Some of the more complex programmes that involve lightweighting glass, plastic or cardboard are virtually invisible, yet can reduce packaging by literally hundreds of tonnes per year.

‘As lead retailer in WRAP’s recent glass project’ continues Shane, ‘we worked closely with manufacturers, bottling and packaging businesses and leading universities to develop, test and implement glass bottles and jars that use up to a quarter less glass.’

It’s these small changes that lead to big savings, as Mark Barthel of WRAP (Waste and Resource Action Programme) explains: ‘About 20% of wine in the UK is sold through ASDA — so they have the opportunity to make a significant contribution, in terms of moving towards a lighter bottle, and increasing the use of bulk imported wine.’

Our future…

Maintaining a commitment to great value and sustainable products, ASDA has pledged to re-invest every single penny saved through packaging reduction back into lower prices.

‘We believe that going green should reduce the cost of living not increase it, and so the £10 million saved as a result of this programme will be passed back to our customers’ explains ASDA Chief Executive Andy Bond.