The Co-operative expands green and premium credentials

The Co-operative Group, the UK’s leading convenience retailer, has unveiled a raft of green initiatives and extended its premium ranges.

The retailer is switching its own brand 35cl vodka bottle from glass to plastic to reduce the impact on the environment.

According to the Co-operative, this represents an 85% weight reduction and will generate an annual saving of 270 tonnes of glass plus significant saving of CO2.

The Co-operative has already reduced the weight of its own brand wine bottles and introduced light weight glass for its own brand ales range.

In a separate initiative, the Co-operative has converted all its own-brand pre-packed ham to 100% British pork in support of its commitment to British farmers and higher animal welfare standards.

The Co-operative has also become the first supermarket to stock Fairtrade Palestinian olive oil.

The Equal Exchange Fairtrade Palestinian Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the first Palestinian product to receive Fairtrade certification. It will be on sale in 300 Co-operative stores across the UK.

At the same time, the Co-operative is extending its premium own label Truly Irresistible range with new desserts: a frozen strawberry yogurt and two mini ice cream pots in chocolate and vanilla variants.

The retailer is also introducing a premium apple juice to its Grown By Us range, which features products produced by the The Co-operative Farms.