Tesco and Sainsbury’s are under scrutiny for their in-store recycling programmes, as investigations suggest a significant amount of plastic is not recycled as claimed.
- Campaign groups have tracked the journey of recycled plastics, discovering most of it was burned or turned into fuel rather than recycled.
- Out of 40 tracked plastic bundles, only a fraction were properly recycled, with the majority incinerated.
- Tesco acknowledges a supplier error led to recycling issues, while Sainsbury’s focuses on improving the quality of collected plastics.
- Both supermarkets emphasise ongoing efforts to enhance their recycling processes despite current challenges.
Investigations by Everyday Plastic and the Environmental Investigation Agency have raised concerns about the recycling practices of major UK supermarkets, namely Tesco and Sainsbury’s. These retailers are accused of misleading consumers about the fate of soft plastics collected at store recycling points. The investigation tracked 40 bundles of these plastics, uncovering that a significant portion was incinerated rather than being recycled.
The data reveals that out of the tracked bundles, seven were transformed into fuel pellets, five were incinerated for energy recovery, and four were downcycled into lower value products abroad, primarily in Turkey. Only one bundle was effectively downcycled within the UK. Remarkably, 70% were incinerated, highlighting the inefficiencies in the recycling claim.
These findings suggest that the recycling schemes contribute to the supermarkets’ claims of nearing recyclability targets. However, the increase in packaging labelled for recycling does not necessarily equate to actual recycling. Campaigners argue that the narrative of recycling success diverts attention from the pressing issue of excessive plastic production.
Responding to these allegations, Sainsbury’s highlights efforts to enhance the clarity of recycling instructions, acknowledging that unclean or damaged plastics are often repurposed for energy. A spokesperson asserted the importance of ongoing feedback to improve their recycling processes.
Similarly, Tesco noted that the misdirection of plastics to Turkey resulted from a supplier error. Their spokesperson emphasised commitment to reducing and recycling packaging where feasible, mentioning innovative uses like creating planters for schools. Despite acknowledging the current challenges, Tesco reiterates the need for better recycling infrastructure across the UK and the EU.
The scrutiny of Tesco and Sainsbury’s recycling schemes underscores the complexities and challenges in achieving genuine sustainability in retail.
