The sustainable initiative will help collect 300 tonnes of plastic bags and food wrapping per annum
The Co-op to launch extensive in-store recycling scheme. (Credit: Igor Ovsyannykov from Pixabay)
UK-based supermarket chain Co-op is set to introduce an extensive in-store recycling scheme for plastic bags and product wrapping, as part of its sustainable efforts.
The initiative is claimed to be Europe’s most extensive in-store recycling scheme.
Under the recycling scheme, the Co-op will provide fully recyclable food packaging by the end of this month and address the confusing postcode lottery of kerbside collections.
The supermarket chain will offer recycling units for soft plastics in its 1,500 stores this month and 2,300 stores by November.
The sustainable initiative will help recycle various food packing products, including crisp packets, bread bags, single-use carrier bags and bags-for-life, lids from ready meals and yoghurt pots, biscuit wrappers and pet food pouches.
Co-op’s in-store units will also receive food packaging products purchased in other retailers, thereby helping to recycle food packaging either via a kerbside collection or through the in-house closed-loop system.
The sustainable initiative is expected to help collect 300 tonnes of plastic bags and food wrapping per annum, upon completely placing the bins.
Co-op is launching the scheme across the country following a successful 50 store film collection trial last year that demonstrated that 86% of shoppers shown interest to use the service.
Post-consumer recycling firm Jayplas will convert the collected waste into recyclable material, which will be transformed into post-consumer plastic granules.
The plastic granules are suitable to produce secondary products such as bin liners and rigid products such as buckets, as well as material for the construction industry.
Co-op Food CEO Jo Whitfield said: “As we face into an environmental crisis, we know from our feedback that there is a universal appetite for change. Which is why we are making it easier for thousands of households to recycle all of their plastic food packaging.
“This will not only prevent unnecessary waste but also reduce plastic pollution. By offering a simple and convenient solution to an everyday issue, we believe we can help communities to make small changes, that together will add up to a big difference for our environment.”
In February this year, the Co-op announced the removal of plastic packaging from its Easter eggs.