Lidl Malta will stop selling disposable plastic items, such as disposable cups and glasses, plates and cutlery in its eight stores in Malta by the end of 2019.

The company said on Thursday this was part of its endeavour to de-list disposable plastic items as part of a wider strategy to reduce the use of plastics by 20% until 2025.

Read: Single-use plastics policy in the pipeline

The company is taking its first actions towards this goal. These items will be replaced by products made of alternative and recyclable materials on which the company was currently working together with its suppliers. As a second step, it also aimed to dispense with and convert cutlery and drinking straws in the convenience and beverage sector.

"We want to pursue a clear approach in our plastics strategy, which is: avoid - reduce - recycle. By delisting disposable plastic items, we will avoid the use of plastic and thus contribute to an improvement of our plastics balance", says regional director Mark Farrugia said.

Lidl Malta plans to sell off quantities that have already been purchased and then switch to alternative materials. This approach shall enable customers to continue to have access to familiar products.

It said it took its responsibility towards the environment very seriously and strove to promote sustainability on a daily basis.

Watch: Containing the plastic problem, one purchase at a time

As a company it was highly aware of the impact that its activities had and worked towards reducing possible negative effects on the ecosystem through the use of technologies and more sustainable procedures.

Mr Farrugia said: "We are working intensively on various concepts and will inform our customers successively about innovations and changes. Particularly in the packaging sector, there are many exciting possibilities that we are currently testing that can make a real difference".