Tesco shoppers may notice a big change next time they visit stores after the retailer rolls out its new initiative.
The supermarket giant has confirmed that shoppers can now take back any soft plastic packaging for recycling, in larger stores.
Tesco trialled the new recycling scheme at 171 stores earlier this year and has now brought the roll out forward due to an “overwhelming” response.
READ MORE: Restaurant owner's response after reviewer slams 'Ryanair-style management'
In the trial stores, 85% of customers said it helped them to recycle more than they would have done otherwise. Customers also reported they like the convenience of being able to combine recycling with their shopping.
Shoppers can use the collection points in-store to return all of their previously unrecycled soft plastic, such as the clear film used to wrap meat and fish, crisp packets, fruit and veg bags and sweet wrappers, rather than having to throw it away.
Sarah Bradbury, Tesco’s director of quality, said: “We’re tackling the impact of plastics by removing and reducing it as much as possible, helping customers move to reusable alternatives, and ensuring they can recycle everything that’s left.
“I'm delighted that we're rolling out collection points to the whole of the country so even more customers can help us stop plastic from going to waste.”
Once collected by Tesco, the old soft plastic is sent for recycling where it is washed, sorted and as much of the material as possible is recycled into new products and packaging.
Tesco directs the collected material between recyclers, packaging producers and suppliers. Tesco will keep the collected material out of landfill.
The supermarket expects to collect more than 1,000 tonnes a year and will recycle as much of this material as possible back into products and packaging sold in Tesco stores.
Get the top stories straight to your inbox by signing up for one of our free newsletters
