Trip to the local Household Recycling Facility

We went to the Recycling Facility today and dropped off all the plastic tubs etc(type 5 & 6) which can't go in the kerbside, I also dropped off a bin liner full of polythene (type 4) which previously I had been posting to Polyprint.
And I found out that I can take my used chip pan oil there as well and they will recycle that.

We did also take a couple of bits which will probably end up in landfill but there is not alot I can do about those:
1. the back part of an old car seat.
2. a computer modem and all the cables, it has been sat in the cupboard for nearly 3 years and didn't work then.

I do feel though that this will definitely become a monthly trip as it was so good to see all the extras going into recycling skips rather than into the landfill bin.

Tesco Follow-up

Well either Tesco didn't get my letter or they are chosing to ignore it, as I have still not had a response from HQ regarding the package I sent to them.

So I will definitely send the next batch of plastic to the local store.

If they have chosen to ignore it would seem that this is not very good PR as how many other letters/emails do they ignore. (well my email about plastic for one).

So I will have to see what the reaction/response is when I send it to the local store.

Follow-Up on the Letter to Tesco

To date I have not received a reply to my package and letter sent to Tesco HQ last week.

I'm not quite sure how to view this; either they are ignoring it or something will come later.

However I am this week going to send all the packets to my local store addressed to the manager and see if I get a response that way.

I will use an identical letter to that sent to HQ and will wait with baited breath for a response.

Letter to Tesco HQ

Here is a copy of the letter I sent to Tesco HQ last week enclosing all the unrecyclable plastic packaging from own label items purchased recently.

Lets see how long it takes for a response.

Dear Sirs

Un – recyclable packaging

I enclose herewith all your own label packaging that is either un-recyclable in my area or is not marked to tell me the type of plastic so I may make in informed decision regarding the recycling of said packaging.

It is Tesco’s responsibility to dispose of any packaging it produces if it does not provide the correct facilities and information for customers to do so.

It would be better if Tesco as one of the largest retailers in Great Britain provided recycling facilities at all its stores especially “Extra” stores so that customers may do this.

Further to this Tesco should be looking at its packaging and providing such that is made from recycled materials and that which is also easily recyclable.

For example, take crisps, which I have enclosed; these could easily be packaged in a recycled cardboard box similar to those which the own label teabags come in.
The next step from there would be to put the crisps themselves into something, which is easily recyclable, or provide facilities at stores for collection of the packets

Tesco could quite easily be a forerunner as the “Supermarket, which puts all own label goods in recycled and easily recyclable packaging”; and actually do this.
There is no reason why all boxed goods can’t be in recycled boxes, nor do oats, rice etc have to be in plastic bags inside boxes. Certain brands already do this so why not Tesco.

Yours faithfully

Non - Recyclable Packaging & Rubbish in General

I have decided to post the packaging I have from goods I buy from the supermarkets which is their own label back to their Head Offices for them to deal with.

I have hopefully persuaded a few of my online "greenies" to also join in with this.

So today will see me sorting through the packaging I had saved from the landfill bin as I thought it could either be posted to GHS or I would take some of it to the HRF.

It will be sorted into 3 different categories:

a) that which can be sent back to supermarkets Head Office with a covering letter asking them to change their packaging
b) things that can be taken to the HRF to be recycled by the council
c) things that I can still send to GHS to be recycled.

Although some of what I am sending back to the supermarkets could be taken to the HRF, I want to get the message to the supermarkets that non-recyclable/not easily recyclable packaging is not acceptible.

With having children I accept that some items such as crisps, chocolate and sweets are part of the rubbish we will get as a family, but with buying mostly own label I can return the majority of this back to the supermarket Head Office.