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Food to go: Waitrose’s new sandwich packaging is part of a sustainability drive across all own-brand products

Waitrose has redesigned its own-brand sandwich wrappers to be more easily recyclable as part of its green packaging drive.

From August, Waitrose sandwich packaging will feature a peelable tab that can easily remove the plastic film, which cannot currently be recycled, from the recyclable cardboard pack.

Even if shoppers didn’t remove the plastic film, processors at recycling plants would find it easier to separate than standard sandwich packaging, Waitrose said.

The new design, made in conjunction with sandwich makers Melton Foods and Greencore and packaging manufacturer RAP, is part of Waitrose’s drive to make all own-brand products recyclable, home compostable or reusable by 2025.

Waitrose sells around 26 million own-label sandwiches each year.

Waitrose packaging manager Karen Graley said: “The change to our sandwich packaging may seem like a small one but it’s likely to make a big impact on the amount of packaging recycled. We continue to work on a solution to the pack’s plastic film in the hope that, in the future, none of the sandwich pack will go to landfill.

“Our ambition for 100% of our own-label packaging being widely recyclable, reusable or home compostable by 2025 is set to make a tangible difference to the environment.”