Solero ice lollies to be sold without wrappers to cut single-use plastic

Solero ice lollies are to be sold without wrappers in a trial by consumer goods giant Unilever to help householders cut down on single-use plastic.

Its Solero multipack organic peach ice lollies will be sold in a recyclable cardboard box with compartments, eliminating the need for individual plastic wrappers.

The box is made from a specially designed polyethylene-coated cardboard.

It is similar to single-use coffee cups but with a lower plastic content at 5% and has been approved to be widely recycled in the UK.

Unilever is selling the lollies through online supermarket Ocado to test the response from consumers.

Noel Clarke, from Unilever, said: "As we head towards summer, we've listened to our customers and are working hard to rethink plastic packaging for our ice cream ranges.

"If successful and the feedback from customers is positive, this innovative pack could reduce the amount of plastic we use in the future to package our ice creams."

Helen Bird, strategic engagement manager at Wrap, which manages the UK Plastics Pact to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic packaging by 2025, said: "We're really impressed with the level of innovation and creativity that Unilever, a founding member of The UK Plastics Pact, has shown in developing this new pack.

"It will be welcomed by shoppers who we know want to be able to recycle the packaging they bring home from supermarkets. We look forward to seeing the results of the trial."

Unilever launched its #GetPlasticWise campaign earlier this year with the aim of making all of its plastic packaging fully reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, and to using more recycled plastic content in its packaging.

The new Solero packaging is to be introduced from Monday.

:: Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign encourages people to reduce their single-use plastics. You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved at www.skyoceanrescue.com