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Tesco’s own-label crackers will go plastic-free for the first time, containing non-plastic presents in cardboard packaging

Tesco has removed more than 20 million pieces of plastic from its Christmas range this year.

Crackers, lights, cards and Christmas puddings are among products produced with less single-use plastic, it said.

The move sees its own-label crackers go plastic-free for the first time, with non-plastic presents in cardboard packaging, which Tesco said alone would cut over 14 million pieces of plastic from the seasonal range.

Meanwhile more than 300,000 Christmas lights will be sold in recyclable cardboard packaging, its Christmas cards are plastic-free, and a layer of plastic has been removed from Christmas puddings and sponge packaging, itself saving 1.78 million pieces of plastic.

Tesco said it had stopped using glitter for all single-use products and packaging. Wrapping paper, gift bags, cards and crackers are all now glitter-free and widely recyclable.

“It is an absolute priority of ours to remove and reduce the amount of plastic in our stores to the minimum and ensure everything we use is recycled and kept out of the environment,” said Tesco quality director Sarah Bradbury.

“Christmas time is no exception and we want to do our bit to help customers have more sustainable celebrations.”