UK supermarket chain Tesco has announced it will launch a trial of new plastic packaging recycling technology this week in ten of its Swindon and Bristol stores, in collaboration with recycling specialist Recycling Technologies.
Customers will be able to deposit previously unrecyclable plastic packaging, such as pet food pouches and crisp packets at Recycling Technologies booths located in-store. The packaging will then be converted into an oil called Plaxx, which can be used to produce new plastic.
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By GlobalDataThe stores included in the trial are: Bristol Lime Trees Road Superstore, Yate Extra, Bristol Brislington Extra, Bristol Staple Hill Metro, Keynsham Superstore, Bristol East Extra, Cirencester Metro – Farrell Close, Cirencester Extra, Swindon Extra and Tetbury Superstore.
The trial is part of the supermarket’s aim to make all its packaging recyclable by 2025 and follows Tesco’s plastic-free fruit and veg trial launched last month.
Tesco director of quality Sarah Bradbury said: “Reducing and recycling plastics is such an important issue for us, for customers and for the future of our planet. That’s why we are working hard to reduce the amount of packaging in our stores and have committed that all remaining packaging will be recyclable by 2025.
“Our trial with Recycling Technologies will make even more of our packaging recyclable and help us reach our target. This technology could be the final piece of the jigsaw for the UK plastic recycling industry.”
WWF UK sustainable materials specialist Paula Chin said: “It’s great to see Tesco running this innovative trial, looking for new ways to make it easier for customers to recycle plastic materials which would usually go in their waste bins.
“From our local beaches to the remote Arctic, plastic is choking our oceans and killing wildlife. Eight million tonnes are dumped into our seas every year, killing turtles, fish, whales and birds. While we can all do our bit by reducing the plastic we buy and embracing reusable items, we need producers, businesses and governments to face their responsibilities too.”
Recycling Technologies chief executive Adrian Griffiths said: “We are delighted to be working with Tesco to help its customers recycle more of their household plastic waste. Using our specialist feedstock recycling process we keep more plastic waste in the economy and out of landfill and our oceans. This initiative with Tesco is designed to show there are solutions to recover this important material. Our goal is to double the UK’s capacity to recycle plastic waste by 2027.”
