Tesco and Sainsbury’s have responded after being accused of “misleading” customers over recycling after an investigation into the supermarkets’ soft plastic take-back schemes.
Everyday Plastic and the Environmental Investigation Agency tracked 40 bundles of soft plastic packaging waste through take-back schemes in Tesco and Sainsbury’s across England.
Of the tracked soft plastic packaging waste collected for recycling, 70% of the bundles that reached a known destination was burnt, EveryDay Plastic said.
Environmental law non-governmental organisation ClientEarth said the results of the investigation show that supermarket soft plastic take-back schemes are “misleading” customers.
However, when materials are soiled or damaged, then they may need to be converted for energy, which is managed by our supplier.
Responding to the investigation, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson told Circular Online: “We’re always seeking ways to positively manage the end-of-life of our packaging.
“Our ‘Return to Store recycling scheme’ provides the opportunity to recycle more soft plastic until kerbside collection becomes available in 2026/27.
“We collect a small volume of flexible plastic overall in-store. The majority is in good condition and so is recycled.
“However, when materials are soiled or damaged, then they may need to be converted for energy, which is managed by our supplier. Feedback is important to us and we’d welcome any suggestions on how we can improve our efforts in this area.”
Sainsbury’s said it is has improved signage to include more information about which items are accepted in the take-back scheme and the condition items should ideally be in.
Tesco’s response
A Tesco spokesperson told Circular Online: “We have a clear plan to remove packaging wherever possible and reducing, reusing and recycling it where we can’t.
“Given the challenges of collecting soft plastics at kerbside, we have soft plastics collection points in our stores for customers.
“We work hard to recycle the materials we collect for example, our Bags for Life, and in some cases we are even able to use it for projects such as fruit and vegetable planters donated to schools or park benches donated to the NHS.
“Where it is not possible to recycle the collected plastic, we put it to alternative uses to avoid these materials going to landfill, for example, using it for energy recovery.
“We know there is a lot more progress to be made, and the infrastructure to recycle soft plastics at scale in the UK and the EU still has a way to go.
“We are committed to working constructively with the industry and government to find new solutions for all materials, including those previously considered waste.”
CIWM reaction
Reacting to the investigation, CIWM’s Director of Innovation and Technical Services Lee Marshall commented: “The UK is in the early stages of recycling films and flexible plastics, and front-of-store collections are an important part of proving and growing the collection systems required.
“Councils in England are due to start collecting these materials by March 2027, so it is important that processors and end markets are confident there will be a robust supply of material available in order for them to fund and build the necessary facilities.
“Existing collection and recycling programmes for plastic film from households have shown encouraging results and have helped support the growth of recycling markets.
“While we do not want to see material collected for recycling not being recycled, we have to recognise that we are in the process of developing and growing markets for this type of packaging, and it will take some time for the system to be fully efficient.
“Overall, the outlook is positive, and we are confident that the collection and reprocessing facilities will be in place to recycle this material.”
