Tesco has warned suppliers that it will assess the size and suitability of packaging as part of category reviews and ranging decisions from next year.
The move is part of the second phase of its Remove, Reduce, Reuse & Recycle plan, which has been launched at a series of meetings with 1,500 suppliers.
Chief executive Dave Lewis (pictured) said: “In the first quarter of 2018 we audited all packaging materials in our business and set ourselves a challenge to remove all hard to recycle material by 2019; we’re on track for Tesco own brand and we’re working with branded suppliers to deliver the same.
“Now we’re taking the next step and tackling excess packaging. From next year, we will assess packaging as part of our ranging decisions, and if it’s excessive or inappropriate, we reserve the right not to list it. Through the lens of Remove, Reduce, Reuse & Recycle we can transform our approach to packaging.”
Information shared at the supplier meetings included a case study from a branded crisp manufacturer. By reducing the size of packaging on multi-buy crisps by 23 per cent, the manufacturer delivered a reduction of 5,000 tonnes in packaging weight and 50,000 less road miles as pallets were packed more efficiently, reducing the number of lorry journeys.
Tesco also reiterated its call for the government to introduce a national collection and recycling infrastructure to deliver a closed loop for packaging.
By Malory Davies
