Supermarkets Under Fire for Misleading In-Store Recycling Efforts
- Tesco and Sainsbury’s under fire for misleading recycling schemes
- Investigation reveals majority of soft plastic waste incinerated instead of recycled
- Everyday Plastic campaign group and EIA UK monitor in-store recycling efforts
- Only one bundle out of 40 tracked was downcycled in the UK
- Sainsbury’s improving signage to encourage recycling
- Tesco claims supplier error for sending materials to Turkey
Tesco and Sainsbury’s are facing allegations of misleading their customers over their in-store recycling initiatives after an investigation revealed that the majority of soft plastic returned to stores was incinerated. The Everyday Plastic campaign group, along with the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA UK), monitored 40 bundles of soft plastic waste via Tesco and Sainsbury’s in-store recycling schemes across England. The schemes have led to an increase in soft plastic packaging carrying labels telling shoppers to ‘recycle with bags at large supermarkets’ instead of ‘do not recycle’. Both supermarkets claim they are close to achieving their voluntary packaging recyclability targets, but campaigners say only one bundle was downcycled in the UK while 70% were burned for energy. Sainsbury’s is improving signage to encourage customers to recycle soft plastic waste in its stores, and Tesco claims a supplier error led to materials being sent to an accredited processing site in Turkey.
Factuality Level: 7
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about Tesco and Sainsbury’s recycling initiatives and includes statements from the companies regarding the issue. However, it could provide more context on the investigation methodology and include data to support the claims made by Everyday Plastic campaign group and EIA UK.
Noise Level: 6
Noise Justification: The article provides some relevant information about Tesco and Sainsbury’s recycling practices but also includes unrelated information about Homebase and Dobbies restructuring at the end.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Tesco and Sainsbury’s stocks
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses allegations against Tesco and Sainsbury’s regarding misleading recycling initiatives, which could impact their reputation and potentially affect their financial performance. This is a financial topic as it involves two major companies in the retail industry.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event in the text and the main topic is about supermarkets facing allegations of misleading customers over their recycling initiatives. The impact is minor as there are no significant consequences mentioned.
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