Claire Lorains, Tesco Group Sustainability and Quality Director, highlighted the importance of this shift:
“Removing unnecessary plastic is an important way that Tesco can reduce its environmental impact. The new paper packaging works just as well as the old plastic but can be popped into your normal recycling bin with other paper.”
Tesco has made a significant sustainability leap in its pasta aisle. Starting this week, the retailer’s Finest range of dried pasta will be sold in paper packaging, eliminating over 10 million pieces of plastic annually—equivalent to more than 30 tonnes of waste.
The eco-friendly change affects 10 varieties of Tesco Finest pasta, now available in both main Tesco stores and Tesco Express outlets. The new packaging is 100% recyclable and can be disposed of in household recycling bins.
This move aligns with Tesco’s broader 4Rs (Remove, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) packaging strategy, introduced in 2019. So far, the initiative has eliminated more than 2.3 billion pieces of plastic across Tesco’s UK operations.
Key Innovations in Tesco’s Sustainability Efforts
- Plastic-Free Tissue Packaging: Tesco became the first UK supermarket to remove plastic packaging from its own-brand pocket tissue multi-packs, saving over 55 million pieces of soft plastic.
- Recycled Materials in Household Products: The retailer introduced a new range of luxury toilet rolls and kitchen towels made from recycled cardboard materials. The innovative production process uses less water, chemicals, and energy compared to traditional methods.
Pasta Lines Now in Paper Packaging
The Finest range of pasta varieties benefiting from the new packaging includes:
- Orzo Pasta (500g)
- Casarecce (500g)
- Orecchiette (500g)
- Spaghetti Bucatini (500g)
- Linguine (500g)
- Rigatoni (500g)
- Fusilli (500g)
- Gigli (500g)
- Conchiglie (500g)
- Penne Rigate (500g)
Tesco’s continued commitment to sustainability reinforces its leadership in tackling plastic waste, setting a strong example for other retailers to follow.
