Wegmans is making a change to some of its packaging in an effort to improve sustainability.
The supermarket chain said that it recently started using a different material for its egg cartons which previously were made from polystyrene foam.
The new cartons are made of 100% recycled newsprint and paper products. Wegmans said that by making the switch to fiber cartons, it will eliminate 625,000 pounds of foam from its stores every year.
“We decided to make the switch to paper pulp cartons because we heard from customers that wanted a fiber, paper option,” said Ron Indovina, Wegmans dairy and frozen category merchant.
Indovina worked with Wegmans’ egg supplier, Kreher Family Farms, to find a new carton that would fit the company’s needs. All of Wegmans brand eggs are now available in a paper pulp carton that the company said is recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable.
“We are eliminating foam packaging wherever possible,” said Packaging and Sustainability Category Merchant Jason Wadsworth. “It’s not widely recyclable and never will be. The new cartons are a better option and are more widely recycled.”
Wegmans said that it has committed to reducing in-store plastic packaging made from fossil fuels, along with other single-use plastics, by 10 million pounds by 2024.
