// Tesco CEO pledges to cut down on single-use plastics
// Tesco would “reserve the right not to list” products with excessive non-recyclable plastic from 2020 onwards
// The Tesco Extra store near Cambridge is being used as a testbed for trials aimed at reducing plastic use
Tesco has pledged to cut down on single-use plastics by presenting guidelines that would include banning brands that use “excessive” plastic packaging from stores.
The Big 4 leader’s chief executive Dave Lewis told The Guardian this morning that Tesco would “reserve the right not to list” products with excessive non-recyclable plastic from 2020 onwards.
In May 2018, Tesco issued suppliers with a list of preferred materials, but it is now looking to increase public awareness of the issue after recently announcing a ban on plastic bags for deliveries.
“We can’t overlook the fact that for too long, packaging on consumer goods has been excessive,” Lewis said.
“We have all looked at the settled contents of a cereal packet and puzzled over the comparative size of the bag and box.
“Or opened a bag of crisps and wondered why the packaging is twice the size of the contents.”
Lewis said the Tesco Extra store near Cambridge is currently being used as a testbed for a number of trials aimed at reducing plastic use.
“Customers are helping us understand how we can make it easier to use less packaging,” he said.
“When we understand what changes work best, we’ll roll them out to all our 2658 UK stores.”
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