The Co-operative Group has launched what it claims is the UK’s first 100% recycled plastic shopping basket.

The baskets, which have been rolled out to thousands of the society’s food stores across the country following a trial period, are made from plastic materials that would usually be sent to landfill or for incineration.

By the end of this year, around 94,500 baskets will be in use in a thousand of The Co-op’s stores, saving 66 tonnes of plastic from landfill or incineration, and 66 tonnes of CO2.

The new baskets will eventually be rolled out to all 3,000 stores in its portfolio.

The baskets have been designed to be ultra-lightweight, with a handle that makes the baskets easier and more comfortable to carry.

"We’re proud to be at the forefront of green product innovation and are sure our customers will welcome the new generation of shopping baskets, which, as well as being kinder to the environment, are easier to carry,” said commercial director Sean Toal.

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