At Booths, we have been operating since 1847, and responsible business practices are at the heart of much of our activities. From using Prevented Ocean Plastic on our own fish packaging since 2020, to using smaller tray sizes where we can, and allowing our customers to bring their own clean, lidded containers when purchasing from our counters, we have taken a serious approach to sustainability and packaging. We are committed to ensuring that we manage our business in the most sustainable way. Ensuring that we can support our communities and that we can offer fantastic products in sustainable packaging is paramount. This meant that when we were contacted by the Plastic Packaging in People’s Lives (PPiPL) team at Lancaster University to provide a small amount of support for their work, it fitted in nicely. What we could not foresee was that this initial help in providing information on our products, our ranges and how we sell different products with and without plastic packaging would grow into something so much more. AN EVOLVING PICTURE We know that packaging is an everchanging landscape and have been clear that this needs to be an area of focus for us as a business. Before the PPiPL team approached us, we had done some work ourselves to try and reduce the amount of virgin plastic within our own ranges – such as the examples listed above. However, we also up against challenges. We knew that some support and insight into customer views on plastic and packaging would help us to develop a more sustainable offer. As was initially planned, we have supported the project with information in relation to our offer and the packaging we use. But it has gone beyond that. We have also completed a successful pilot project with the team whereby they have completed research with our customers into how people feel and perceive recycled plastic packaging for our own-brand products. This kind of information and insight is so useful, as it is in an area that we know the food retail sector need to improve upon. The pilot focused on food items packaged with recycled material and comparing them with similar products in virgin plastic packaging, this pilot initiative set out to explore consumers’ perceptions, risks, and concerns regarding recyclate in food plastic packaging. 28 | Through PPiPL, our teams have also had the opportunity to meet with likeminded businesses to share best practices and experiences, which is such a valuable exercise for all involved. Working on the project has been, and continues to be, so rewarding in terms of finding ways to improve for our business, customers, and our communities. ʻʻ ʼʼ
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