Tesco successfully trials recycled plastic packaging that prevents egg waste

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Recyclable plastic packaging that will save more than a million eggs from going to waste each year has been successfully trialled by Tesco.

Currently, Tesco sells its free range eggs in pulp cartons, and if an egg breaks in transit, then it can seep through the box and damage packs beneath it.

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But the supermarket has trialled a recyclable plastic packaging made from recycled plastic drinks bottles.

As a result, if an egg breaks, the damage is contained to one pack.

Over the last eight weeks, Tesco has trialled the new 12 egg packaging in nearly 200 stores served by depots in the Livingston area in Scotland and in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Tesco technologist Lee Gray said: “We know that plastic packs reduce food waste – now we have a pack that will reduce food waste and offer customers a more environmentally friendly packaging solution.

“If used across all our free range egg range then it will save on average more than one million eggs each year that would otherwise be going to waste.

“The results of the trial are very positive and we hope to roll out the packaging by the end of the year.”

A further benefit from the pack is that it takes up less space during transportation as well as shelf space and will decrease COemissions.

Consultancy LRS is currently working with Tesco to measure this benefit.