Tesco Ireland teams with Paltech for recycling first

Tesco Ireland has become the first Irish retailer to create a recycling solution for soft plastics.

To date soft plastics have not been eligible for the national household recycling bin infrastructure in Ireland.

Our partnership with #TescoIreland is an exciting step forward to support #Ireland in reaching the EU recycling commitment of 55% of all packaging waste to be recycled by #2030.#circulareconomy #circularuseofplastics https://t.co/u2P2zQOZTC
— PALTECH (@paltech_ie) February 4, 2021

Using technology developed by startup Paltech, they will be flaked and prepared for processing into construction materials to be used in the Tesco Ireland network for new stores, and in store maintenance and refits including buildings, car park barriers and signage.

At in-store collection points, made from waste plastic, to be rolled out to all 151 locations by March, customers will be able to remove unwanted soft plastic packaging at the end of their shopping trip. They can also leave behind hard, recyclable plastic packaging.

Kari Daniels, CEO, Tesco Ireland, says: “Tesco has been working hard for a long time to remove plastic from its business.”

“Where we need packaging, because it serves a clear purpose like reducing food waste or to protect a product in transit, we do our best to ensure that what we do use is from sustainable sources and where possible, goes on to be reused or recycled.”

Daniels adds: “Our overall ambition is to only use plastic which serves a clear purpose. We are listening to our customers and working to make changes where we can.”

“We know we have more to do, and today, we’re proud to be the first retailer to provide a recycling solution for soft plastics in Ireland. We’re particularly proud to partner with Paltech, an indigenous startup, as we seek to address the recycling of soft plastics within Ireland.”