Tesco to remove one billion pieces of plastic from products by the end of 2020

Tesco suggests reusing your own containers to reduce plastic waste

Tesco will remove one billion pieces of plastic from products for sale in UK stores by the end of 2020 as a part of its plan to tackle the use of plastics in its business. 

Customers in Greater Manchester, including the Rochdale borough, will see the removal of the following from Tesco own brand products in local stores over the coming 12 months:

• small plastic bags, commonly used to pack loose fruit, vegetables and bakery items, and replacing them with paper ones
• plastic trays from ready meals
• secondary lids on products such as cream, yoghurts and cereals
• sporks and straws from snack pots and drinks cartons
• 200m pieces of plastic used to pack clothing and greetings cards

David Ford, Local Communications Manager of the North, said: “Our customers will really welcome this. I’d like to thank every one of them who has shared examples of ways they feel we can cut plastic in our Manchester stores– these conversations are making a real difference and they’ll continue to do so, as we look for more ways to remove, reduce, reuse and recycle packaging, to protect our environment.”     

The retailer will also explore new opportunities to reuse its packaging and ensure that anything left is all recycled as part of a closed loop.