Sainsbury’s Leads the Way with Vacuum-Packed Lamb Mince

In a pioneering move for UK retailers, Sainsbury’s has announced it will replace traditional plastic tray packaging with a new vacuum-packed alternative for its entire fresh lamb mince range. This initiative follows the success of its market-leading vacuum-packed beef mince and aims to significantly reduce plastic waste, saving an impressive 26 tonnes of plastic annually.

The new packaging will achieve a minimum of 65% reduction in plastic per product, reflecting Sainsbury’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Customers will find the revamped lamb mince products, priced starting at £3.95 for 250g, available in-store and online from today. Vacuum packing not only enhances freshness by removing oxygen—an element that accelerates spoilage—but also extends the product’s shelf life, making it more resilient in the freezer. Additionally, new QR codes on the packaging will offer cooking advice, enhancing the overall consumer experience.

Richard Crampton, Director of Fresh Food at Sainsbury’s, commented, “We know customers want us to reduce plastic packaging, and that’s why we’re committed to making bold changes that benefit the environment and help customers cut down on plastic waste at home. Once again, we’re the first major supermarket to switch to vacuum-packed packaging on a popular product that our customers buy week in, week out. This change more than halves the plastic used in our lamb mince range.”

Importantly, the new vacuum-packed lamb mince packaging will be recyclable in-store at Sainsbury’s flexible plastic recycling collection points available across all supermarkets, reinforcing the retailer’s dedication to sustainable practices.

This initiative is part of Sainsbury’s broader strategy to halve its use of own-brand plastic packaging by 2025. The retailer was the first UK supermarket to introduce vacuum-packed beef mince and has made substantial strides in its sustainability efforts. Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s announced a shift from plastic packaging to cardboard for all its own-brand mushrooms, effectively saving over 775 tonnes of plastic annually in its largest packaging reform to date.

Vacuum packing itself has a rich history, originating in the early 20th century as a means to preserve food by removing air and sealing it in airtight containers. Initially used for military rations and later adopted in commercial food production, vacuum packing has revolutionised food preservation, extending shelf life and reducing spoilage. Today, this technology not only enhances the freshness of food but also plays a crucial role in reducing packaging waste, aligning perfectly with Sainsbury’s commitment to sustainability and customer satisfaction.