Tesco To Install A Single Private Contractor To Manage Recycling Banks At All Of Its Stores

21 April 2011

The move has raised concern among Councils but the retail giant insists the move will bring savings and other benefits to local authorities

According to letsrecycle.com, Tesco has started to inform local authorities that management of its recycling services on the store's sites are to be undertaken by contractor DS Smith Recycling.

Local authorities currently collect recyclable material from banks at Tesco's sites and are then able to sell it. They are also able to include this material in its household waste and recycling figures.

Recipients of the letter were reportedly asked to remove council-owned recycling banks - with the exception of textile banks - from the retailer's sites and these will then be replaced by DS Smith Recycling containers on the same day.

The change in service provider is part of a national plan by the retailer to bring management of all "community recycling areas" under one contract, which Tesco believes will lead to "consistency" as well as "efficiency savings" due to the large scale of the operation.

Responding to the letter, one council officer, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly told letsrecycle.com: "For years we have had the material and now, it would appear, we are going to have a lot less to go round. I think I am not alone when I say there is grave concern about this."

For the full story visit www.letsrecycle.com

Darrel Moore