In the last 12 months, Tesco identified and removed 500 million pieces of unnecessary plastic, including 30 million plastic yoghurt lids and over 29 million pieces of plastic from limescale tablets packaging
Tesco has reported positive outcomes from 4Rs packaging strategy. (Credit: Tescoplc.com)
British retailer Tesco announced that it has eliminated around two billion pieces of plastic from its UK operations since the launch of its 4Rs – Remove, Reduce, Re-use, Recycle – packaging strategy in 2019.
The company identified and removed 500 million pieces of unnecessary plastic last year.
It has also eliminated 30 million plastic yoghurt lids and over 29 million pieces of plastic from limescale tablets packaging in the last 12 months.
Other annual plastic savings include 24 million plastic windows removed from doughnut packaging and nine million pieces removed from nappy packaging.
Tesco responsible sourcing director Kené Umeasiegbu said: “We all have a responsibility to take care of our planet and removing unnecessary plastic is an important way that Tesco can reduce its environmental impact.
“As well as taking action in our own operations, we want to work with the whole industry to continue to build on the progress we’ve made to Remove, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle more.”
To support its packaging strategy, Tesco has published a new strategic report aimed to help retailers, industry and the government transform the UK’s approach to packaging.
The idea includes the creation of a level playing field when it comes to removing packaging in produce and the introduction of consistent kerbside recycling.
Additionally, the report includes ideas to ensure that the deposit return scheme is viable and sustainable. It will also create an industry moment for reusable packaging solutions.
Tesco’s 4Rs packaging strategy is designed to eliminate plastic where it can, reduce where it cannot, reuse more and recycle what’s left.
Since 2019, the supermarket chain has removed around 200 million bags from Tesco.com deliveries and replaced the plastic wrapper of 67 million tinned multipacks.
Apart from that, the company has discarded 50 million pieces of plastic from branded beers and ciders.
Tesco has also eliminated 42 million plastic forks from prepared salads and rice bowls and exchanged them with wooden alternatives since 2019.
Furthermore, it has saved 14.2 million pieces of plastic by discarding plastic chicken trays from whole chickens.