From Recycling to Redistribution: Strategies for Reducing Excess Packaging and Food Waste

From Recycling to Redistribution: Tackling Excess Packaging and Food Waste

Tesco, one of the UK’s largest supermarkets, is on a mission to reduce waste in its operations, and it’s making significant strides in tackling both food waste and excess packaging. With around 70% of the UK's plastic waste originating from packaging and 9.5 million tonnes of food waste generated each year, supermarkets like Tesco have an important role to play in curbing these environmental issues. The retailer’s efforts not only focus on improving sustainability within its stores but also on encouraging consumers to think differently about waste.

In this article, we explore the challenges Tesco has faced in reducing waste, what has been achieved so far, and the potential solutions for the future.

Reducing Excess Packaging

While recycling is an important part of managing waste, reducing the amount of packaging in the first place is key to tackling the issue. Tesco has made impressive progress in this area, removing or reducing more than 5,900 tonnes of packaging since 2019. Some products, like cucumbers, still require plastic to stay fresh and extend shelf life, but Tesco is continuously finding new ways to cut back on unnecessary packaging. A notable example is a trial in which Tesco has eliminated the plastic tray from its mince packaging, resulting in a 70% reduction in plastic use for that product line.

Addressing Packaging Materials

When packaging is necessary, recycling it effectively remains a challenge. Black plastic is particularly difficult for sorting machines in recycling facilities to detect, which is why Tesco has switched all of its black packaging to more easily identifiable colors like green and brown. This simple change improves the chances of the material being correctly sorted for recycling.

In addition to color changes, Tesco has been transitioning from plastic to paper packaging where possible. Many products, such as Tesco’s own-brand Scottish porridge oats and Finest pasta, are now packaged in paper to help reduce plastic usage. However, certain products, like meat and dairy, will continue to require plastic packaging to prevent contamination and preserve freshness, ultimately reducing food waste.

Making Recycling More Accessible

Currently, 96% of Tesco’s packaging is recyclable, but the rules around recycling vary across local councils in the UK. This inconsistency can confuse consumers and make it difficult for retailers to provide clear guidance on what can and can’t be recycled. Tesco’s James Bull, head of food waste and packaging, highlights that “recycling regulation is like a patchwork quilt” in the UK, creating a “postcode lottery” for recycling practices.

To help, Tesco has implemented in-store collection points for soft plastics, like crisp packets and salad bags, which are not typically collected by local councils. Shoppers can drop off these materials at any Tesco location, regardless of where the products were purchased. Since launching this initiative, Tesco has collected over 2,000 tonnes of soft plastic, diverting it from landfills and repurposing it into new products, such as strawberry planters for schools.

The situation is set to improve later this year with the government’s Simpler Recycling initiative, which aims to standardize recycling practices across the UK, making it easier for consumers to recycle correctly.

Paving the Way for a Circular Economy

One of the most promising solutions to waste is shifting toward reusable packaging. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that at least 20% of plastic packaging could be replaced by reusable systems, reducing the need for new packaging production and the energy required for recycling.

In 2020, Tesco took a significant step in this direction by partnering with reusable packaging experts Loop. The collaboration began with a pilot program offering 150 products in reusable packaging available for online order. Following the success of the trial, Tesco introduced a prefill pilot in select stores, where customers could buy popular products in reusable containers. A deposit was required for each item, which was refunded when the packaging was returned. These trials have helped Tesco learn valuable lessons that will shape the future of reusable packaging, potentially revolutionizing how products are sold and consumed.

Tackling Food Waste

Alongside reducing packaging waste, Tesco is also focused on cutting food waste. With fluctuating customer demand and unexpected weather patterns often leading to surpluses, food waste is a complex issue. Nevertheless, Tesco has set an ambitious target to halve food waste in its operations by 2025, with the goal of redistributing 85% of unsold food that is still safe to eat to people or animals.

Tesco has partnered with organizations such as the food redistribution charity FareShare and the food-sharing app Olio to ensure surplus food does not go to waste. Since the partnership with FareShare began almost 13 years ago, over 220 million meals of surplus food have been redistributed to charities and community groups. Any food that FareShare cannot redistribute is listed on the Olio app, where local residents can collect the items for free.

These efforts are part of Tesco’s broader commitment to making its supply chain more sustainable and helping to reduce food waste across the UK. It’s clear that a combination of innovative packaging solutions and partnerships with food redistribution organizations is a vital part of tackling the food waste problem.

Looking Ahead

As Tesco continues to refine its approach to waste reduction, it is clear that its work is far from over. The company’s efforts are a model for other retailers and provide valuable insights into the challenges and successes of reducing waste across the food industry. With continued investment in sustainable packaging, food redistribution, and recycling initiatives, Tesco is helping pave the way for a future with less waste and more responsible consumption.

Ultimately, the issue of waste reduction is a collective effort, and while much progress has been made, there is still plenty of work to do. By learning from the challenges faced by Tesco and other industry leaders, consumers can also play an active role in reducing waste, whether it’s by making informed recycling choices or supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability.

The road to a greener future may be long, but with ongoing innovation and cooperation, we can take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable world.