A supermarket is to replace some of its tin cans with cardboard cartons in a green-friendly initiative. The packs, which are made from wood pulp, will help reduce Sainsbury's carbon emissions by cutting down on transport costs. They are two-thirds lighter than metal canisters and more can be loaded on to a single lorry because they are rectangular rather than round. Manufactured by Tetra Pak, the cartons will initially be used for Sainsbury's own-label chopped tomatoes. The chain expects to be using the Recart packs for tinned fruit and a host of other products within five years. The carton will save on recycling costs because, when crushed, it takes up a ninth of the space of equivalent cans and jars. Peter Knutsson of Tetra Pak said the packs will use wood from sources certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council. Stuart Lendrum, Sainsbury's packaging manager, said: "The launch of this type of packaging is another world first. "It combines the benefits of lighter and recyclable Tetra Pak packaging with the use of FSC-certified material.
