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Tesco launches laser-etched avocados to reduce plastic packaging

UK supermarket chain Tesco is trialing a new laser-etched avocado range as part of its measures to cut down on plastic packaging and enhance its environmental profile.

The initiative is being introduced for its range of extra-large avocados and, if the trial is successful, it will see the scrapping of the barcode stickers that currently adorn the range.

The retailer is concurrently trialing the replacement of plastic tray packaging for two of its pre-packaged avocado lines, moving to cardboard containers that are easier to recycle, while also being made from more environmentally friendly renewable material.

Part of efforts to cut down on plastic waste

“We’re always looking for innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of our products and cut down on plastic waste in the home through changes to our packaging,” said Tesco avocado buyer, Lisa Gilbey.

Tesco says that it sells around 70 million avocados a year and it has seen sales rise by around 15% over the course of the year, reaching volumes that mean this initiative has the potential to make a significant difference to the company’s environmental footprint from packaging.

According to Tesco’s avocado supplier, Westfalia Fruit, the laser-etching move will forego the need for a million plastic stickers for its loose extra-large avocados. The supplier is behind the initiative, having installed the laser technology at its depot. It also undertook substantial trials to ensure that the quality, shelf-life and taste of the fruit is not impacted.

Putting the cardboard containers initiative into perspective, Tesco says that it uses more than 20 million of the plastic trays for the twin-pack avocados, together with a further 25 million trays across the rest of the pre-packed range.

The laser process is simple and rapid

According to Westfalia Fruit, the new labelling process relies on a computer programme that controls a high-powered laser, The laser removes a tiny segment of the top layer of the avocado, etching all the consumer information, including the product size and the brand name.

The process is said to take just one third of a second, leaving a tattoo-like mark on the surface of the fruit that also contains the scanning code for the checkout.

“Westfalia Fruit continually seeks ways to improve our environmental performance and operate in a responsible manner, by focusing on priorities such as reducing and wherever possible, removing plastic from our packaging to contribute to solving the plastic waste challenge,” said Grahm Issac, general manager, Westfalia Fruit.

Trial will be determined by consumer feedback

Tesco says that it will be involving consumers in the trial by asking for their feedback about the new labelling initiative to determine whether or not it is deemed to be a step in the right direction.

The trial will take place in 270 Tesco stores in the Southeast of the UK, and if consumer feedback is positive, it will be rolled out across Tesco stores countrywide.

“We’re really excited to hear customer feedback on our new laser-etched avocados, avoiding the need for a barcode sticker that can easily be forgotten and left on when recycling through household food waste,” said Gilbey.

Tesco’s 4Rs strategy

Last year Tesco published its Packaging Report, which highlighted its strategy to reduce plastic packaging and waste, which focuses on removing plastic packaging outright, as much as possible.

The report highlights it’s 4Rs strategy as being pivotal to achieving this goal, focusing on: Removing plastic packaging wherever possible, Reducing it where it cannot be removed completely, Reusing as much plastic as possible, and Recycling whatever is left over.

Since the initiative was launched in 2019, the retailer says it has permanently removed 2.3 billion pieces of plastic packaging from its business that adds up to 4,500 tonnes in weight, while featuring 100 products in its loop packaging trial, while achieving a 96% rate of fully recyclable packaging through its in-store plastic packaging recycling initiative.