Midcounties Co-op launches soft plastic collection scheme

The scheme is in addition to the similar plan announced for 1500 Co-op stores nationally announced last month (9 July).

The initiative will help customers recycle problem materials, including bread bags, lids from ready meals, biscuit wrappers and wrappers from pet food.

As most UK councils are unable or unlikely to collect soft plastics, the in-store collection points will help customers dispose of these materials easily.

The Society has ensured that there is a soft plastic collection point in every local area so all customers can access them.

Mike Pickering, co-operative social responsibility manager at The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “As a Society, we are committed to making change and encouraging our members and customers to work us with us to build a better environment for our future, and recycling is a big part of that.

“We know that many of our customers and members want to do even more than they already are to help the planet, and the new recycling collection points are a great, convenient solution to help them.”

The Midcounties Co-operative’s efforts to tackle the issue of single-use plastic are part of its Change campaign which aims to raise awareness of the issues caused by plastic pollution and encourage members and customers to make more sustainable choices.

In October last year, the Society announced it will no longer sell single-use plastic carrier bags with them being replaced with fully compostable bags, helping to remove an estimated eight million single-use plastic bags from circulation each year.