Supermarket giant Woolworths has adopted the new Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) across its entire Own Brand product range.
In a partnership with environmental organisation Planet Ark, through its membership with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), Woolworths stated it is the first Australian supermarket to commit to adopting the ARL across its Own Brand range.
The labelling is aimed at supporting customers in the disposing of packaging correctly and efficiently.
The rollout of the ARL is in response to research showing customers are often unsure what packaging can and cannot be recycled.
The new labelling system, developed by Planet Ark, highlights what needs to be done with each piece of packaging to ensure the right elements end up in recycling and those which can’t are correctly disposed of.
“At Woolworths we are committed to taking our environmental and community responsibilities seriously,” said Adrian Cullen, Woolworths Food Group head of Sustainability. “This is one part of that commitment to minimise our impact on the environment and encourage recycling.”
“We know customers want to do the right thing and recycle packaging the right way, but have been frustrated in the past by unclear labelling,” he added. “By partnering with Planet Ark we are making it easier for them to understand how to dispose of the packaging correctly. Using the ARL is a clear and easy way for them to do this and hopefully will lead to more recycling.”
The labelling has already begun to appear on Woolworths Own Brand products including pre-packed Potato and Pasta salads and the new Woolworths Skyr yoghurt. It will continue to be added to other products as packaging is refreshed and updated, according to the retailer.
The launch of the ARL on Woolworths Own Brand products follows the supermarkets’ commitment earlier this year to phase out the use of single-use plastic bags across stores nationwide by July 1, 2018.
Woolworths has also begun the reduction of plastics and packaging in fruit and vegetables, with trials presently underway to remove or reduce plastic packaging on 28 fresh produce lines such as Kale, Tomatoes, Lettuce and Potatoes. The goal is to remove 150 tonnes per year of plastic packaging annually.
Elsewhere, Woolies today launched its Christmas campaign, kicking off an integrated marketing campaign that focuses on produce and features Christmas ‘favourites’ including pavlovas, cherries, mangoes, puddings and ham.
“We know what really lies at the heart of Christmas in Australia is our customers gathering with their families and friends and sharing a meal together,” said Woolworths director of marketing, Andrew Hicks.
The ‘Share the spirit of Christmas’ campaign will be supported across multi-channels including TV, digital, radio, in-store, catalogue and outdoor.
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