You can now recycle soft plastics at Tesco – here’s how to do it

Tesco is the latest retailer to get involved in the fight against climate change buy launching an initiative to recycle soft plastics such as crisp packets and vegetable bags.

Soon you will be able to take all your soft plastics to a big Tesco so they can dispose of it responsible, ensuring it is regenerated into new packaging or other products.

It follows a successful trial by the store which proved popular with customers; over 85% said that the scheme made recycling easier.

The initiative takes their “Every little helps” catchphrase to heart, with campaigners urging people to do everything they can to slow climate change.

Here’s what you need to know about recycling your soft plastics at Tesco….

What counts as a soft plastic?

Soft plastics include sweet and crisp packets, vegetable, salad and bread bags and the plastic film used to wrap meat and fish.

It is commonly used on thousands of products but is very difficult to recycle responsibly due to the fact most local councils do not collect it as part of their recycling schemes.

Now, customers will be able to take their soft plastic waste into big Tesco’s stores where the shop will ensure it is disposed of responsibly, used for either new packaging or products.

80% of soft plastic returned to the shops is currently being converted into new items, and Tesco is working with recycling experts to deal with the remaining 20% which is sent for incineration.

The scheme aims to help Tesco recycle 1,000 tonnes of plastic per year.

It has been lauded by climate campaigners, with chief executive of sustainable resource use charity, Wrap, Marcus Gover saying: “As little as 6% of this problematic plastic is collected and recycled in the UK, despite making up nearly a quarter of all plastic packaging by weight.

“By offering shoppers a simple and consistent collections system Tesco is helping to ensure that much more of this problem plastic is captured and goes on to be recycled.”