In a stride to minimize waste and differentiate itself from other major supermarket chains, Sainsbury’s, the UK retailer, has announced the introduction of crownless pineapples to its stores. This move signifies Sainsbury’s as the only big four grocer to currently offer this unique product.
Starting from Wednesday, November 1st, customers will be able to purchase these crownless pineapples both in-store and online. Crownless pineapples are essentially traditional pineapples with the removal of the green leaves. Sainsbury’s aims to tackle the issue of food-related waste by recognizing that customers typically discard the crown when preparing at home.
Through Sainsbury’s recycling efforts during the production process, the removed crowns will either be replanted in pineapple fields or used for animal feed after being shredded and given to local farmers. As a result, waste will be reduced by an impressive 700 tonnes annually.
By eliminating the crown during production, Sainsbury’s can enhance the transport efficiency. This change will allow for more pineapples in each box shipped to stores, resulting in an estimated reduction of 2,500 boxes transported each year.
Moreover, Sainsbury’s is taking a step further by eliminating all packaging typically attached to standard-sized pineapples. This additional waste reduction measure will greatly diminish the amount of packaging that customers would otherwise throw away at home.
Claire Hughes, the director of product and innovation at Sainsbury’s, expressed the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact, stating, “We’re passionate about reducing our impact on the planet wherever we can, and we’re always looking for new and unique ways to make bold changes with sustainability in mind.”
Sainsbury’s new crownless pineapples may look unconventional, but they provide clear benefits in terms of waste reduction and packaging reduction. The company hopes that customers will embrace this change, understanding that this distinctive fruit plays a role in repurposing waste within its supply chain and also assists in reducing waste within their own homes.
While Sainsbury’s introduces crownless pineapples, it will continue to offer customers the choice of a large pineapple with the leaves still attached.
