Morrisons has today announced a major change coming to UK stores as part of its pledge to cut down on its use of plastic.

From today, Morrisons, which has branches in Newtown, Brecon and Welshpool, has become the first UK supermarket chain to remove all plastic bags from bananas sold in store.

The move comes as the supermarket chain revealed bananas are the second most commonly bought item in store.

From today, new paper bands will start to replace the bags that currently package
some bananas.

Morrisons say that the move will mean that 45 million single-use plastic bags (180 tonnes of plastic) will be removed from stores each year.

It follows a successful trial for 12 weeks that has removed over two million pre-packed plastic bags to date. 

The new strengthened paper bands, made from FSC certified paper, will ensure that banana bunches remain intact.

The bands will feature: Country of Origin; Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade and Soil Association Certification information; and, barcodes. Their roll out will be completed in six months.

County Times: Morrisons has become the first UK supermarket to remove all plastic packaging from bananas in UK stores. (Morrisons)Morrisons has become the first UK supermarket to remove all plastic packaging from bananas in UK stores. (Morrisons)

Morrisons issue statement on ‘no-brainer’ change to UK stores

Elio Biondo, Banana Buyer from Morrisons, said: “Bananas have their own packaging - their skins. They also grow in bunches which generally means they don’t need bagging together.

“So a simple sturdy paper band is the ideal alternative. In trials the quality of the bananas has remained the same, so this switch out of plastic is a no-brainer.”

Morrisons pledge to become more sustainable

The ban is part of Morrisons drive to reduce plastic and revert back to traditional grocery packaging methods.

Morrisons recently launched a glass milk bottle trial in which bottles of milk are delivered directly to its supermarkets by local dairy farms.

Once returned by customers, the bottles are collected, sanitised and can be reused for ten years or more.

Morrisons was also the first supermarket to reintroduce paper and string bags for fruit and veg, to provide sturdy paper carrier bags at checkouts and to refill customer containers at its Market Street counters, to avoid single use plastic packaging. 

Morrisons has committed to a 50% reduction across its own brand primary plastic
packaging by 2025. Initiatives introduced over the last 12 months will remove 8,000 tonnes of unnecessary or problematic plastic each year.

Eighty-three per cent of Morrisons own-brand plastic packaging is now able to be recycled.