TESCO stores across Redditch will replace plastic-wrapped multipacks with plastic-free multibuys on tinned food - eliminating 350 tonnes of plastic from the environment.

Tesco has announced it will become the first UK retailer to remove plastic-wrapped multipacks from stores and replace them with plastic-free multibuys.

This will see 67 million pieces of plastic eliminated.

Tins will be available individually, with no plastic wrap holding them together any more.

They’ll still be eligible for multibuy deals, just without plastic.

It is estimated some 183,000 tinned multipacks are bought every day at Tesco.

More than 40 per cent of Tesco customers include multipacks in their shop.

Multipacks of baked beans, tuna, tinned tomatoes and soup are among the most frequently-bought grocery items in the UK.

The change applies to both Tesco own brand products and branded products, like Heinz Beanz.

Tesco CEO Dave Lewis said: “We are removing all unnecessary and non-recyclable plastic from Tesco.

"As part of this work, removing plastic wrapped multipacks from every Tesco store in the UK will cut 350 tonnes of plastic from the environment every year and customers will still benefit from the same great value ‘multipack’ price.

"This is part of our plan to remove 1 billion pieces of plastic in 2020.”

Paula Chin, from the charity WWF, said: “WWF supports Tesco’s steps in the fight against plastic pollution.

"We need to remove unnecessary single-use plastic wherever possible, to stop the contamination of the natural world. If we want to protect nature we need more businesses to follow Tesco’s lead, before we run out of time to fight for our world.”

At the end of last year Tesco removed all hard to recycle materials from Tesco own brand products and is working with suppliers to do the same.

In August last year, Tesco also briefed 1,500 suppliers that packaging will be a factor in its decisions on which products are sold in its stores.

The changes will be rolled out in stores from March 2, with no further plastic-wrapped multipacks ordered by Tesco from that date.

Remaining stock will be allowed to sell-through.