‘Morrisons and Waitrose ditch glitter for Christmas’ was the headline of a sizeable news story from the BBC recently, which championed the sustainable progress Morrisons, Asda, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Boots have all made on their respective Christmas offering, with Christmas cards, wrappings and crackers coming in for some special praise for their plastic reduction.
The coverage was sparked by recent press statements issued by Morrisons and Asda, which have been echoed by recent marketing from Dunelm with regards to its Christmas card and wrap selection as well as from John Lewis’ chairman Sharon White in her five year strategy for the retail group.
Morrisons came out with its statement last Wednesday (14 October) in which it shared that it has removed glitter entirely from its own-brand ranges of greeting cards, gift wrap, seasonal items and horticulture in stores.
The grocer stressed how the majority of Morrisons Christmas cards will come boxed in recyclable cardboard and 100% of packaging on cards and decorations can be easily recycled by local authorities while it has also removed all plastic toys from its Christmas crackers this year.
Its moves to ban glitter and reduce plastic in its Christmas ranges means that Morrisons will be removing more than 50 tonnes of plastic from its shelves during the festive period, and more across non-seasonal products all year round.
Christine Bryce, director of Morrisons’ Home division said: “Every time a cracker is pulled, or a card is opened, plastics have ben used…but just the once. So, we’ve taken glitter and plastic out of our festive ranges this year.”
While Morrisons stole some of the limelight, other retailers were also mentioned in the piece, having previously announced their environmental approach on the Christmas card, wrap and cracker fronts.
Sainsbury’s senior buyer Carly Pearson confirmed to PG Buzz that the grocer has “no glitter on any of our Christmas cards, bags, crackers this year. Also our everyday range will be glitter-free by March. It would be sooner, but we want to sell through the remining stock rather than waste it.”
This year, Asda has launched its first sustainable Christmas range, which it says will save 66 tonnes of plastic this year – the equivalent of nearly 3,000 real Christmas trees.
Continuing its commitments to helping customers to reduce, re-use and recycle more, the range features glitter-free cards, wrap and gift-bags, which would in previous years have contained small particles of plastic.
This year, customers can also purchase a pack of 12 festive crackers which are made from 100% recyclable content, including the gift inside. In addition, Asda is also selling a range of recyclable gift bags and hanging decorations.
Sonal Patel, Asda’s festive buying manager, said: “It’s really exciting the be launching a sustainable Christmas range this year, we know that it’s something our customers and colleagues are passionate about and this is another way we are helping them to use less and recycle more.”
Asda has today (October 20) opened its new sustainability trial store in Middleton and unveiled a new plastics reduction strategy with a promise that customers will not pay more for greener options.
Top: A Morrisons’ festive shopping basket.
