Allegations have been made against Tesco and Sainsbury’s regarding the effectiveness of their recycling schemes. The concern is about the majority of soft plastics being incinerated instead of recycled.
- An investigation tracked 40 bundles of plastic waste through the recycling schemes of these supermarkets, showing unexpected destinations.
- A significant portion of the plastics collected were incinerated or turned into fuel, raising questions about the true recyclability of these materials.
- Campaigners claim these practices mislead consumers regarding the recyclability of packaging, with many plastics not being properly recycled.
- Supermarkets have defended their practices, citing improvements and challenges within current recycling infrastructures.
An investigation by Everyday Plastic and the Environmental Investigation Agency involved tracking 40 bundles of soft plastics submitted to recycling schemes at Tesco and Sainsbury’s. These supermarkets have established collection points at their locations for soft plastics, which are not typically part of kerbside recycling.
The findings from the investigation revealed unexpected results, where a substantial number of these plastics were either incinerated or converted into fuel pellets. Specifically, while some plastics were made into lower value products in Turkey, about 70% of the tracked bundles were burned for energy rather than being recycled.
Campaigners are raising concerns that consumers are being misled about the recyclability of their packaging. They highlight that many plastics labelled for recycling are not being effectively processed, as evidenced by the substantial incineration rate.
Everyday Plastic’s research director, Alison Colclough, expressed that these schemes are presented as solutions but divert focus from the critical issue of excessive plastic production. She points out that the schemes mask the underlying problem, which is the need to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging.
In response, both Tesco and Sainsbury’s have highlighted their ongoing efforts to improve recycling methods. Tesco acknowledged a supplier error regarding the plastics sent to Turkey, while also detailing their plans to recycle materials or repurpose them for alternative uses. Sainsbury’s described efforts to enhance in-store signage to better inform customers about recycling protocols.
The current state of recycling for soft plastics continues to face significant challenges and scrutiny, requiring further progress.
