The problem with black plastic trays is that they cannot be picked out by the laser sorting machines installed in rubbish collection and recycling centres. As a result the billions sold every year in the UK end up being burned for energy or dumped in landfill, where they will take many decades to break down.
Aldi is phasing out the black plastic trays for fresh fruit and vegetables, replacing them with clear plastic alternatives that can be recycled into new products. In theory, this will save 265 tons of plastic a year from going to waste. The clear trays will be used for three types of tomato, purple sprouting broccoli, fresh baby sweetcorn and asparagus.
En.brinkwire.com reports that green campaigners, shoppers, and even some supermarkets, still question whether plastic trays are needed at all for fresh produce.
