Spanish retail co-op Eroski has returned to a tried-and-tested favourite – the paper bag – as it continues its efforts to cut plastic waste.
Amid growing alarm around the world over the plastic pollution, the retailer, which operates nearly 1,000 outlets across the country, has announced the new bag as a sustainable alternative.
It says the paper uses has a mixed label certification from the Forest Stewardship Council, which certifies that paper fibre comes from sustainably managed forests or recycled materials, and are 100% recyclable.
Initially, they will be available at Eroski’s hypermarkets before being rolled out across its network.
The retailer, part of the Mondragon worker co-op group, is planning other sustainable alternatives, including a compostable bag made with renewable materials of plant origin that can be reused as a refuse bag for organic waste.
There will also be a reusable bag, which is 100% recyclable, made from at least 55% recycled plastic.
Eroski’s head of health and sustainability of Eroski, Alejandro Martínez Berriochoa, said: “We offer this more sustainable alternative as part of our commitment to protecting the environment and as a response to the demands of our customers
“We are convinced that the new bags will be well received by our customers because we share their concern for sustainability.”
He said the retailer wanted a 20% cut in single-use plastics by 2025.
