Co-op is launching what it claims is Europe’s most extensive in-store recycling scheme for plastic bags and product wrapping.
The national rollout of the scheme follows a 50-store collection trial last year which found that 86% of shoppers were likely to use the service.
The convenience retailer said the expansion means it will become the first supermarket in the UK to have fully recyclable food packaging by the end of July.
Recycling units for ‘soft’ plastics will launch in 1,500 Co-op stores this month and will reach 2,300 outlets by November. The retailer stated that the initiative will ensure all its own food packing is recyclable by establishing a disposal route for materials that are unlikely to be collected by councils, including crisp packets, bread bags, single-use carrier bags and bags-for-life, lids from ready meals and yogurt pots, biscuit wrappers and pet-food pouches.
The in-store units will also accept packaging for food products purchased from other retailers.
Co-op estimates that 300 tonnes of plastic bags and food wrapping could be collected per year once the bins are fully in place. Recycling firm Jayplas will then turn the material into plastic granules that can be used to make secondary products, such as bin liners, buckets, and items for the construction industry.
Estimates from WRAP suggest that only 6% of plastic bags and wrapping from UK households is currently recycled each year, while (by weight) it makes up around a fifth of all plastic packaging.
Jo Whitfield, Co-op Food CEO, 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.”
The roll-out will be supported by a nationwide, multi-channel marketing campaign as part of the retailer’s partnership with ITV. A new Co-op TV Ad will debut during the Coronation Street ad break this evening.
