Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: UK News, Tesco, Environment
Jake Massey
Tesco is to become the first major UK retailer to stop selling wet wipes and baby wipes containing plastic.
The products block up sewers and waterways after being flushed by customers, with Tesco selling 75 million packs (or 4.8 billion individual wipes) a year - more than any other retailer.
The wipes are often found washed up on beaches and riverbeds and can be harmful to wildlife, with many marine animals dying after ingesting microplastics.
Tesco announced it will stop selling branded wet wipes containing plastic from 14 March, stating there is 'no need for wet wipes to contain plastic'.
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Its own-brand wipes became plastic-free about two years ago and are made using a plant-based viscose, which breaks down quicker.
The supermarket added that its only wipe of any kind which still contains plastic - which is designed for pets - will also be plastic-free by the end of the year.
Sarah Bradbury, Tesco's group quality director, said: "We have worked hard to remove plastic from our wipes as we know how long they take to break down.
"There is no need for wet wipes to contain plastic so from now on we will no longer stock them if they do."
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In less welcome Tesco-based news, the price of a meal deal is going up as of today (28 February).
The much-loved affordable option for those who haven't prepared lunch is going up from £3 to £3.50.
At a time when many of us are feeling the pinch, the increase in cost of the meal/snack/drink trio comes as a blow - but fear not, there's a work around.
The price will remain £3 if you get yourself a Clubcard, which is free to sign up for.
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Tesco chief customer officer Alessandra Bellini said: "Adding our ever-popular lunchtime meal deal to Clubcard Prices is the latest way we’re rewarding our 20 million Clubcard members with exclusive deals on thousands of products.
"Clubcard Prices have already given millions of customers the power to lower the cost of their weekly shop – and all while earning points for money off their shopping or rewards like family days out at Alton Towers or a Disney+ subscription."