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You are here: CIWM  >  Publications  >  Latest News  >  Major Retailers Extend Recycling To Thin Plastic

Major Retailers Extend Recycling To Thin Plastic

07 April 2011

The UK's biggest supermarkets have entered into an agreement with the On Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme that guides shoppers to easily recycle thin plastic packaging. The stores, which collect plastic bags for recycling, will also accept clean plastic film packaging at the same facilities. The move marks an important step in recycling initiatives as it sees some of the biggest supermarket chains drive the efforts to help customers recycle thin plastic, which has been until now relegated to the background for lack of means. The retailers supporting this scheme are: Asda, The Co-operative Group, WM Morrison, J Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose.

A new version of the on-pack label will appear on relevant packaging like plastic-wrapped bakery goods, breakfast cereal liners, packaging for household goods (toilet roll wrap, kitchen roll wrap), plastic-wrapped grocery produce (fresh and frozen) and multipack shrink wrap, to encourage customers to dispose it of in the aforementioned way.

Praising the retail chains for undertaking a task of this nature, Bob Gordon, head of environment at the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and director of On-Pack Recycling Label Ltd, said: "This announcement shows retailers are prepared to go above and beyond what is expected of them to support customers' environmental efforts. We know many consumers want to do their bit for the planet and this move will be a big help.

"Retailers are leading the way in helping customers minimise waste through measures such as reducing the weight of packaging and providing consistent on-pack information. The retail sector has helped to prevent 1.2 million tonnes of food and packaging waste since 2005."

He further added: "People visit shops to buy food and new goods. For reasons of hygiene and space, retail premises are not suitable for handling large quantities of waste, but stores already have facilities to recycle carrier bags. They can double the effectiveness of these units by taking plastic films as well. We're pleased to see certain local councils matching this commitment where other waste is concerned."

The thin plastic makes up 43% of all plastic household packaging and weighs in at 645,000 tonnes every year. It is fully recyclable but until now most people have had no means of recycling it.

Krishna Buddhiraju