Tesco green machines to aid recycling

Published on Wednesday 8 October 2008 10:30

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco is to trial a "reverse vending" scheme to promote recycling in nine of its Scottish stores, including South Queensferry.

The pilot, due to start next year, will see automated machines installed at the stores to recycle most household waste including aluminium, steel, plastics and glass.

Customers using the machines to recycle bottles and cans will receive reward points on their store card.

The machines also compact or crush the material which saves on carbon emissions in collecting the waste by reducing the number of journeys needed to empty them.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "I am delighted to see that Tesco shares my vision of a 'Zero Waste Scotland' and is seeking to introduce reverse vending in Scotland.

"Reverse vending has terrific potential to improve our rates of recycling and evidence from Scandinavia and Canada shows that it has reaped real rewards."

David North, community and government director for Tesco said: "As a responsible retailer, we are committed to helping our customers adopt green habits. They've asked us to make recycling easier so this is what our new automated machines are designed to do."