Albany turns over green leaf with biodegradable bags

The bags, which have been on the market since the beginning of last month, are designed to be environmentally friendly and to disintegrate after a year.

According to senior branch manager Khanyi Dhlamini, about 10,5-million households in SA consume Albany bread each week.

“We are not saying we will solve the world's environmental problems, but this will encourage people to keep the environment clean,” he said.

Dave McCullough, MD of Redline, Albany's public relations company, said the cost of producing nonbiodegradable bags was 1c, while the biodegradable bags would cost 1,5c.

He said the costs would be absorbed by Albany. “In terms of costs, consumers will not feel the pinch.

“There are no other bread companies in Africa or in the southern hemisphere that use biodegradable bread bags.”

Enviroserv manager Theresa Walton has encouraged other brands to follow in Albany's footsteps to help preserve the environment.

Earthlife Africa Johannesburg co-ordinator Mabule Mokhine commended the initiative, but said the group would find out more about what materials were being used.

“We need to establish the polymer used. If it was produced from starch polymer, which is organic, that is well done, as it will be the first in SA.

“The other one Earthlife knows about is based in Italy,” Mokhine said.

Tiger Brands was fined last year for fixing bread prices.

Source: Business Day

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