New Seasons Market: Regional chains announce new sustainability initiatives
Source: https://www.grocerydive.com/news/regional-chains-announce-new-sustainability-initiatives/621246/
Author: Catherine Douglas Moran
New Season Market said in an emailed press release on 29 March, 2022 it is turning to a more environmentally-friendly packaging option for its private label line of fresh pasta that it said will help extend shelf life and reduce plastic waste. The grocery chain will transition to the recyclable PaperSeal trays throughout April. The efforts by New Seasons and Meijer are the newest examples of how grocers are placing more emphasis on product and packaging sustainability. New Seasons said its packaging switch will eliminate more than 120,000 plastic clamshells annually, and that it will be the first retailer in the U.S. to use PaperSeal’s “MAP trays." Each tray, which is recyclable after the food-safe liner is taken out, uses 91% less plastic than the grocer’s current packaging, according to the announcement. Along with being recyclable, the trays extend shelf life from 12 to 20 days, which can help prevent food waste by giving customers a longer window of time to consume the food, New Seasons said.