Remove, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, says Tesco to Packaging Suppliers

Tesco has met with over 1,500 suppliers to continue its commitment to removing excess packaging from its own brand and branded products.

The meeting is part of Tesco’s “remove, reduce, reuse and recycle” strategy, which aims to improve the supermarket’s commitment to sustainability.

Its plan includes four steps to influence packaging design: remove all non-recyclable or hard to recycle material, reduce hard to recycle material to a minimum (including excess packaging), explore new opportunities to reuse materials and packaging, and ensure all packaging is recycled.

Dave Lewis, chief executive of the Tesco Group, commented, ““In the first quarter of 2018 we audited all packaging materials in our business and set ourselves a challenge to remove all hard to recycle material by 2019; we’re on track for Tesco own brand and we’re working with branded suppliers to deliver the same.

“From next year, we will assess packaging as part of our ranging decisions, and if it’s excessive or inappropriate, we reserve the right not to list it. Through the lens of Remove, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle we can transform our approach to packaging.”