Tesco has embarked on a trailblazing initiative to recycle used plastic food trays into new packaging, marking a first for the industry. Partnering with packaging manufacturer Faerch, this move will create a fully circular packaging loop for Tesco’s core range of chilled ready meals. Customer-recovered PET trays, gathered via European kerbside waste, will be recycled and transformed into food grade plastic trays in an innovative scheme called Tray 2 Tray by Faerch.
With up to 75% recycled content already present in its ready meal trays, Tesco aims to include a minimum of 30% recycled tray content in the new core trays via the Tray 2 Tray by Faerch programme. Currently, the new trays are undergoing a phased rollout across Tesco’s core own brand chilled ready meals.
Importantly, the collaboration plots a course that ensures high quality food-grade PET is recycled and retained within the supply chain rather than being downcycled. The success of this initiative demonstrates that PET packaging from trays can receive a full recovery and recycling at an industrial scale.
Tesco’s Packaging Development Manager, Adele Kearns, affirms that they are committed to ensuring their packaging is fully recyclable and incorporates recycled content wherever feasible, thereby closing the packaging loop. Meanwhile, Faerch UK’s Strategic Sales Manager, Ruth Price, describes the Tray 2 Tray programme as an “essential” initiative which promotes circular food packaging in the economy and helps keep rigid food packaging in the economy and out of the environment.
Furthermore, Tesco has previously joined efforts with suppliers to eradicate all hard-to-recycle material from their packaging in 2019. The supermarket chain also supports the UK Plastics Pact which targets the impact of plastic waste.
Through their collaboration with Faerch, Tesco has set an admirable benchmark for the food packaging industry, providing a promising example for other retailers to follow in creating a sustainable future for food packaging.
