And, the supermarket revealed it is working with a number of partners to scope a project to explore how this can operate in practice and at scale.
Three commitments
The plans come as part of three commitments which include making all packaging fully recyclable or compostable, ensuring that all paper and board used will be 100% sustainable and halving packaging weight by 2025.
Across the UK, Tesco said it sees three steps. Firstly, an opportunity to “reduce and simplify” the types of materials it uses and accepts. The company says this will include a greater use of compostable and biodegradable materials.
Secondly, an increase in recovery and recycling, which it says is one area where there is opportunity for significant government leadership.
“We would welcome the creation of an integrated national collection of packaging and investment in innovative recycling facilities,” Tesco said in a statement.
However, Tesco stressed that it views a DRS as only one aspect of the holistic approach that is required to achieve the broader goals of reducing waste and increasing recycling in the UK.
Lastly, there were calls for a change in consumer behaviour, which can only be driven once a “recognised and understood” recycling infrastructure is in place.
Tesco also revealed some measures it has previously taken to cut down on plastic waste, including avoiding 653 tonnes of polystyrene being used by removing it from fish packaging and 96 tonnes of plastic by replacing a two layer meat tray with a single layer plastic.
Reaction
Tesco said there have been growing calls for a UK-wide scheme to charge a deposit for drinks bottles, which is paid back when they are returned for recycling.
Welcoming the retailer’s pledge to support the introduction of a DRS, Samantha Harding, litter programme director at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said it was “great” that the supermarket had understood the benefits of the system, and believes there is now enough support to move forward with the plans.
Ms Harding said: “It’s so refreshing to see a major brand come out with its own position, rather than hiding behind a trade association. With retailers such as Tesco, Iceland and the Co-op in support, as well as newsagents across England, it’s obvious that there is now real potential for us to have a world-class deposit return system.”
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) echoed these views, saying that it hopes Theresa May will take note.
Dr Laura Foster, head of clean seas at the society explained that MCS volunteers have been collecting beach litter data for over 20 years and it has shown the extent of the bottle problem.
Dr Foster added: “Retailers are becoming increasingly vocal that they would like a harmonised approach across the UK, and we want to see the UK Government follow its own Environmental Audit Committee recommendation to introduce a scheme.”
Audit Committee
In December, the Environmental Audit Committee called for the introduction of a DRS and a requirement to provide free drinking water in public premises in order to clamp down on plastic bottle wastage (see letsrecycle.com story).
‘Plastic Bottles – Turning Back the Plastic Tide’ called on the government to introduce a DRS and several other policies to help cut plastic bottle wastage.
In her 25 year Environment Plan last week, Theresa May didn’t announce plans for a DRS but also didn’t rule it out. A deposit scheme for plastic bottles remains a possibility as consultations and discussions are taking place through Defra which will next month launch a call for evidence on single use charges and taxes.
Coca-Cola
In February last year, Coca- Cola announced that it supports reforms to the PRN system, which “would be complemented by a well-designed DRS system”.
The company said that it recognises that DRS is not a universally popular position and that the immediate opportunity to improve packaging recycling lies in reform of the current PRN system in Great Britain.
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