No more disposable bags for fruit and vegetables

In 2023, free single-use bags for fruit and vegetables will disappear from Dutch supermarkets. Instead, customers can use reusable bags that they can wash at home. With this joint initiative, five supermarket chains expect to save around 126 million plastic and 10 million paper bags every year.

State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen (environment) is enthusiastic about the initiative: "The less waste we all bring into the chain, the less we will eventually have to process. I therefore embrace this initiative by Dutch supermarkets to end disposable bags for potatoes, vegetables and fruit. It would be great if all supermarkets joined the initiative."

Carlijn Röell, operational director of Plastic Pact NL, stressed that the cooperation between the supermarkets is an important milestone. "Consumers need to get used to the fact that reusing packaging is normal as soon as possible. That is why it is important that as many supermarket chains as possible take part. The Plastic Pact NL will continue to support such joint initiatives."

In 2022, Albert Heijn was the first to ban single-use plastic bags and replace them with sustainable, reusable fresh food bags. ALDI, JUMBO, Lidl and PLUS will do the same during 2023. This is documented in a joint declaration of intent they signed on 23 February 2023. Paper bags for fruit and vegetables will also have to go.

Meermetminderplastic.nl

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