Following a successful trial and considerable due diligence to find a UK-based waste management solution, customers can now recycle their soft plastic at 295 Waitrose stores.
Caroline Pinnell, Sustainability & Ethics Specialist at Waitrose, said: “We know that recycling is a key priority for many of our customers so we’re delighted to be able to offer flexible plastic recycling across a number of our shops.
“Across both Waitrose and John Lewis, we are continuing to strip away single-use packaging and provide our customers with convenient reuse, refill and recycling solutions. We are on track to meet our 2023 Waitrose packaging target, that all of our own-brand packaging will be reusable or made from widely recyclable or home-compostable material by the end of 2023, two years ahead of the industry-wide WRAP UK Plastic Pact.”
So, what can you recycle at Waitrose? As long as it’s clean and dry, the following are recyclable instore:
- Carrier Bags
- Bread Bags
- Frozen Food Bags
- Delivery Bags
- Cereal Liners
- Toilet Roll Wrapping
- Salad, Pasta and Rice bags
- Cheese, Fish and Meat Wrapping
- Crisps, Biscuit and Chocolate Wrapping
- Baby & Pet Food Pouches
- Bubble Wrap and Cling Film
The plastic will be sent to a reprocessor in Glasgow where it’s washed, separated and then flaked or pelletised so it can be made into new products or materials in their next life – such as:
- Secondary Packaging (e.g. toilet paper packaging)
- Shrink Wrap for transportation of goods
- Delivery / Carrier Bags
- Refuse Sacks
- Bags for DIY, industrial and horticultural products
- Guttering, buckets or plastic furniture
