Supermarket chain Aldi is running a trial to remove plastic packaging from bananas being sold at its stores across the UK.

Selected stores in the North East, Yorkshire, the South West, the South East and the Midlands will run the trial.

Instead of using plastic for its five-pack, midi banana and organic six-packs it will use a paper band.

If the trial is successful the supermarket, which is the fourth largest in the UK, estimates 234 tonnes of plastic packaging could be removed each year.

“At Aldi, we know how important reducing plastic is to our customers, colleagues and the future of the planet,” said the supermarket’s plastics and packaging director Luke Emery.

“We are constantly reviewing ways we can do this, and our latest trial on bananas is another great step on that journey.”

This is the latest plastic reduction move by Aldi, which is introducing thinner bags for its onions. This will save 13 tonnes of plastic annually, it estimates.

Aldi is also replacing non-recyclable packaging on its ‘Specially Selected West Country and Yorkshire’ block butter with a paper-based alternative wrap which can be recycled at home. This will remove an estimated 10 tonnes of non-recyclable packaging from circulation each year.

Supermarkets' plastic usage

Earlier this year the charity Greenpeace revealed that 1.7bn pieces of plastic packaging are being thrown away by UK households each week.

Its Big Plastic Count revealed that 90bn pieces of plastic are discarded annually, with only 17% recycled domestically.

“Recycling will never be able to catch up with the volume of plastics being produced,” warned the charity.

“Instead, there’s a pressing need for supermarkets and policymakers to embrace reuse and refill schemes that meet the UK public’s desire for sustainable choices.”

The charity estimates eight out of ten plastic items are from food and drink packaging, “likely coming from supermarkets”.

Last year Aldi was one of eight supermarkets to commit to action on climate change.

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