Tesco Declares Ban on Use of Plastic Bags for Home Deliveries

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Tesco has become the latest supermarket to cut using plastic bags in its online deliveries. The move, which will come into effect starting August this year, is part of Tesco’s efforts to reduce plastic waste and is expected to save nearly 2 tonnes of plastic every year. The decision follows successful trials in more than 30 of its stores.

According to Tesco, the delivery drivers will help the customers in taking groceries out of the reusable green trays into their kitchens. It noted that raw meat or fish would still be placed in plastic bags. However, these bags can be handed back to the delivery driver, which in turn will be recycled by Tesco.

Sarah Bradbury, Quality Director, Tesco stated that Tesco will continue its efforts to combat plastic pollution. Removing carrier bags from online shopping is only one among the various ways to address the problem of plastic pollution. The company is currently reviewing all its packaging including plastic, looking for opportunities to remove and reduce, she added.

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WWF UK welcomed Tesco’s decision. Paula Chin, sustainable materials specialist at WWF UK extended full support of the organization to Tesco’s move to reduce the amount of plastics reaching consumers. She urged other businesses to follow suit in promoting effective recycling through closed loop collection systems.

Earlier this month, supermarket retailer Asda had banned use of plastic carrier bags for home deliveries, as part of efforts to reduce avoidable plastics in order to cut the amount of plastics it uses as a business.