New greener packaging for Lidl beef mince

Lidl GB has revealed plans to introduce new vacuum-packed, recyclable packaging across its beef mince range, thus bringing about a very welcome plastics reduction of almost two thirds (63%). 

The smaller packs provide a valuable space saving, which will also result in up to 350 delivery trucks being taken off the road every year.

Customers across the UK will be guaranteed the same amount of high-quality 100% British beef mince, whilst collectively saving over 250 tonnes of plastic a year through the new packaging. With the new packaging providing around double the current shelf life, it’s also estimated it will half the amount of beef mince food waste in store.

Alongside the positive impact on the environment, the change, which will be introduced at the beginning of 2024, will also comes with significant additional benefits for shoppers, such as:

Double the shelf life, from eight to around 16 days, staying fresher for longer for customers to use

Easy peel film, so customers don’t have to touch the raw meat

Smaller footprint pack, thus taking up less storage space in the fridge or freezer

Shyam Unarket, Lidl GB’s Head of Responsible Sourcing & Ethical Trade, said: “Plastic reduction is a huge priority for us at Lidl, and this one change will cut the amount of plastic in each pack by a whopping two thirds, culminating in the elimination of over 250 tonnes of plastic from packaging a year. 

"But we also recognise the important role plastic plays in our daily lives. That’s why it’s vitally  important Lidl's plastic reduction strategy is centred around a progressive circular programme. By ensuring any new packaging is recyclable, we’ll also be able to help prevent plastic pollution in our environment. 

 “When the new packaging arrives in store early next year, we know the huge benefits both from a sustainability and practical perspective, will be welcomed by our customers.” 

This latest change forms part of Lidl GB’s commitment to tackling the important issue of plastic waste, as it looks to drive improvements across its product range through plastic reduction, recyclability and circularity.