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In February, Countdown Orewa began a trial aimed at reducing unnecessary plastic wrap in its fruit and vegetable section.
The Unwrapped trial was to run for 10 weeks but was halted by lockdown six weeks later.
Countdown’s corporate affairs, safety and sustainability general manager, Kiri Hannifin, says Covid-19 put pressure on Countdown’s supply chain which meant the trial had to be paused.
“Once things settle down, we’ll be looking at what we learnt in the time it was running and what we might be able to roll out further to reduce the need for plastic in our produce section,” she says.
A total of 65 items without plastic were involved, removing more than a tonne of plastic from the three stores that took part in the trial and introducing paper and cardboard packaging. Customers were asked to put fruit and vegetables in their own reusable bags.
Countdown invested more than $500,000 in shelving, packaging and production changes for the test.
“This is investment that has to be made if the company is serious about reducing the use of plastic,” Ms Hannifin said at the time.
Shoppers and staff had the chance to give feedback and Ms Hannifin told the paper recently that initial indications were that Orewa shoppers prefer the plastic, but all feedback has not been analysed as yet.
“Our commitment to reducing plastic and packaging is unchanged. We’re still focused on meeting the goal of our packaging being reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
