Nov 4, 2007

Asda appeals for centralised approach to recycling


Asda has called for an end to the packaging recycling postcode lottery and a national approach to developing collection facilities.

Packaging buyer Shane Monkman said customers recognised recycling was a vehicle for change, but that it needed to be easier.

"Customers are not going to be able to separate different polymers. Recycling needs to be straightforward and we need a consistent approach to labelling materials," he told delegates at a Wrap conference on mixed plastics recycling on Tuesday (30 October).

Asda uses 190,000 tonnes of packaging material each year, almost 25% of which is for non-bottle plastics. However, only 8% of local authorities recycle mixed plastics.

Monkman said Asda's plastics use was increasing by 6% per year as it switched more products to the material as part of its plans to reduce packaging weight.

He also acknowledged that retailers had a role to play in informing the public because customers were "looking to them for guidance".

No comments: