Lidl introduces reusable bags for loose fruit & veg


Lidl has rolled out reusable fruit and veg bags to reduce plastic waste across Lidl's UK and Ireland estate, having first been launched in Spain in June.

The new 'Green Bags', which cost 69p for two, are made from durable polyester and designed to be machine-washable and long lasting.

Lidl UK head of corporate social responsibility, Georgina Hall said, “Ever since we opened our doors in Great Britain, 25 years ago, we have been strongly committed to finding ways to reduce our plastic waste.'

In its fight to reduce plastic, Lidl has already removed black plastic from its fruit and vegetable range, replaced polystyrene pizza bases with cardboard, eradicated microbeads from all cosmetic and household products, only had paper rather than plastic straws for sale, and replaced plastic-stemmed cotton buds with biodegradable stems.

The company's initiative to remove all single-use carrier bags from sale in 2017 resulted in 26 million fewer plastic bags being sold annually.

Lidl has pledged to reduce its own brand plastic packaging by 20% by 2022. By 2025 the German retailer is looking to ensure 100% of its own brand packaging is widely recyclable, reusable or refillable.