Tesco and Sainsbury’s have come under fire for allegedly misleading customers regarding their front-of-store recycling schemes. An investigation revealed that the majority of soft plastic returned to the stores was ultimately burned. The Everyday Plastic campaign group and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA UK) monitored 40 batches of soft plastic waste, including bags and wrapping, across supermarket take-back schemes in England. Both Tesco and Sainsbury’s have implemented front-of-store collection points in an effort to address plastic waste issues.
Customers can deposit soft plastic packaging at these collection points, which cannot be recycled through regular kerbside collections, with the expectation that the supermarkets will recycle them. However, the investigation discovered that a significant portion of the tracked plastic waste ended up being converted into fuel pellets, used in various industries. Some batches were incinerated for energy, while others were downcycled into lower-grade plastic products overseas. Only a small fraction was downcycled in the UK.
The findings raised concerns about the effectiveness of these store collection points and their contribution to Tesco and Sainsbury’s claims of nearing their voluntary packaging recyclability goals. The campaigners highlighted the prevalence of labels on soft plastic packaging directing consumers to recycle at large supermarkets, potentially diverting attention from the excessive production of unnecessary plastic packaging.
According to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap), the UK’s recycling infrastructure has limited capacity for mechanical recycling, particularly for post-consumer waste. Everyday Plastic’s research director, Alison Colclough, emphasised that the issue lies in the overproduction of plastic packaging, which is not adequately addressed by these take-back schemes. Meanwhile, the EIA’s senior ocean campaigner, Lauren Weir, criticised the export of soft plastic waste, urging for better domestic waste treatment solutions.
As negotiations for the UN Global Plastics Treaty continue, the campaign groups are advocating for a significant reduction in global plastic production by 2040. Legal experts from ClientEarth warned that consumer perceptions may be misled by recycling claims on product labels and in-store signage. Supermarkets, fast-moving consumer goods companies, and the packaging sector were urged to address the environmental impact transparently.
Helen Bird from Wrap acknowledged the complexities of the current situation, recognising the role of supermarkets in promoting recycling habits and stimulating investment in recycling infrastructure. Despite ongoing challenges, including limited recycling capabilities for soft plastics, both Tesco and Sainsbury’s affirmed their commitment to waste reduction and recycling efforts. Tesco acknowledged an error in handling materials sent to Turkey and reiterated their commitment to reducing, reusing, and recycling packaging.
The investigation’s focus on Tesco and Sainsbury’s underscored the supermarkets’ significant market presence and extensive collection points. Sainsbury’s highlighted recent improvements in signage to encourage more customers to recycle soft plastic waste effectively. Feedback from customers is welcomed to enhance recycling initiatives. Tesco reiterated their pledge to enhance recycling practices and reduce packaging wherever feasible.
The push for greater transparency in recycling processes and a reduction in plastic production resonated with environmental advocates. The debate surrounding plastic waste management continues to highlight the complexities of current recycling practices and underscores the need for more sustainable solutions in the future.