Weis Markets Rolls Out Recyclable Meat Tray

As part of its ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, Weis Markets today announced a store-wide commitment to use 100 percent recyclable modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) meat trays for its fresh meat products.

The Sudbury, Pa.-based supermarket operator has partnered exclusively with Clearly Clean Products, an Orwigsburg, Pa.-based company that specializes in custom thermoformed packaging solutions.

Weis Markets began introducing the new meat packaging to its 162 stores for its kabobs and ground sausage, but plans to extend the packaging to its ground beef product line in early 2013. Weis will be evaluating further expansion across other meat products throughout the year.

The new recycled trays are made from 80 percent recycled #1 plastic and can be recycled by customers. The patented, Peel-A-Tray packaging will eventually replace more than 11 tons of air sealed and polypropylene #5 trays.

The recyclable trays are part of a much larger sustainability program at Weis Markets to help reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

“We are continually increasing our conservation efforts, providing recycling opportunities for both our associates and customers, and evaluating our store designs to meet with our standards for environmental leadership and stewardship,” said Patti Olenick, sustainability manager for Weis Markets.

In 2012, Weis has diverted more than 37 million pounds of recyclables from landfills, including 34 million pounds of cardboard, 280,000 pounds of office paper, 56,000 pounds of plastic pharmacy bottles, 528,000 pounds of waxed cardboard, 1.3 million pounds of plastic shopping bags and film plastics, and 1.5 million pounds of food waste.