Woolworths has become the first supermarket to adopt the new Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) across its own-brand product range.
In a partnership with Planet Ark, Woolworths, through its membership with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), has committed to the ARL to help customers know how best to dispose of packaging.
The ARL has been developed in response to research showing customers are often unsure what packaging can and cannot be recycled.
The labelling system was developed by Planet Ark and highlights what needs to be done with each piece of packaging to ensure the right elements end up in recycling.
The labelling has already begun to appear on Woolworths own-brand products, including pre packed potato and pasta salads, and the new Woolworths Skyr yoghurt.
It will continue to be added to other products as packaging is refreshed and updated.
The launch of the ARL follows the supermarket's commitment earlier this year to phase out the use of single-use plastic bags across stores by 1 July, 2018.
Woolworths has also begun the reduction of plastics and packaging in fruit and vegetables, with trials underway to remove or reduce plastic packaging on 28 fresh produce lines such as kale, tomatoes, lettuce and potatoes.
The goal is to remove 150 tonnes per year of plastic packaging annually.
