Proper rubbish! British newspaper switches to potato-based wrapping

In the UK, daily newspaper Guardian is switching its print issue to biodegradable wrapping made from potato waste at the urging of readers concerned over plastic waste.

The thick Saturday edition previously used polythene plastic. The new bioplastic, based on potato starch that readers can compost or throw away with their own food waste recycling, will be phased in throughout London, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

The change does mean extra costs for the paper but follows the first price increase for the paper in three years. The Sunday edition will increase by 20p to £2.20 and the Saturday edition’s price will go up 30p to £3.20