Foodstuffs announces early ban on plastic microbeads for World Oceans Day
Foodstuffs
- New World, PAK'nSAVE and Four Square will be microbead free
from 1 July 2017
- 12 months ahead of schedule as mandated by Government
- Announcement ahead of World Oceans Day, June 8
- Suppliers jumped on board to be part of the positive
environmental change
To celebrate going microbead free we will be running a microbead
amnesty with our friends at Essano in all New World stores.
We'll also be offering some great deals at PAK'nSAVE and Four
Square. The amnesty at New World stores will start week commencing
10 July
2017. We'll be updating our website and
Facebook very soon with the details on when and where you can bring
in one product
per customer containing microbeads and swap it for
a free Essano Gentle Facial Exfoliator. Keep an eye out for
the update!
On World Oceans Day Foodstuffs has announced that its
supermarkets, which include New World, PAK'nSAVE and Four
Square, will be microbead-free nationwide from 1 July 2017; a full
year ahead of the Government's proposed date for banning microbeads
from New Zealand stores.
Scientific research has proven that the tiny beads of plastic
used as an exfoliating agent in many skin cleansing products are
finding their way into drains and ultimately the marine environment
where they fail to break down or are consumed by marine life.
Chris Quin, Foodstuffs North Island CEO, says the business
started discussions with suppliers in 2016 with the aim of speeding
up the change. "We're pleased to say that many suppliers had
already reformulated their products substituting the plastic beads
with natural ingredients. Where brands are unable to meet our needs
we'll delist the products until new formulations are
available."
Making positive change takes a collective approach. "Minimising
our impact on the environment is a priority issue and banning
microbeads is absolutely the right thing to do. The changes we're
making will have a positive impact on marine life - it's great we
were able to announce this change on World Oceans Day. That said we
know there's more work to be done and we will continue to see how
we can reduce plastics wherever we can.
"Across the two Foodstuffs Co-operatives* we have almost 30,000
team members committed to reducing waste and our environmental
impact. Hundreds of thousands of our customers are also doing
their best to make the right choices - using their own bags,
choosing sustainable products and shopping thoughtfully on a daily
basis. Our suppliers are also a big part of the solution -
and it speaks volumes that they have worked with us to provide
customers with more sustainable products.
Foodstuffs has introduced other environmental initiatives
including 100% recyclable meat trays, LED lighting, and new
refrigeration and energy systems. Foodstuffs is also a foundation
partner of the Packaging Forum's Soft Plastics Recycling Programme,
collecting over five tonnes a week of packaging in purpose-designed
bins located at the front of stores. The material is then
reprocessed into new products such as street furniture and
decking.
The microbead ban will be celebrated in New World stores across
the country in July. Look out for some exciting promotions to
help customers to change up their beauty routine.
-Ends-
*Foodstuffs North Island & Foodstuffs South Island
