Asda demands better Government deal on recycling

May 20 2008

The Government must ensure a fair deal over recycling, with all local authorities providing an equal service, Leeds-based supermarket chain Asda has said.

It is fighting proposals to introduce a pay-as-you-throw bin tax because it claims millions of people would lose out as a result.

Research has shown that millions of people find it difficult to recycle the packaging of Asda products, even though 92% of it is made from recyclable materials.

The range of materials collected by local authorities varies considerably, depending on the postcode.

Paul Kelly, corporate affairs director at Asda, said: “Our customers tell us that they are becoming increasingly frustrated by how difficult it is to recycle the packaging we give them.

“That’s why we’re calling for an end to the recycling postcode lottery.

“Despite nearly all of our packaging being recyclable, very few local authorities are able to collect it all, which means thousands of tonnes of packaging needlessly end up in landfill, when it could have easily been put to better use.”

Asda argues that the EU’s landfill directive is flawed because it is based on the weight of rubbish sent to landfill, meaning light materials such as plastics are often ignored even though they account for more than 55% of total packaging waste.

“If you are unlucky enough to live somewhere where plastic or cardboard, or even glass bottles, are not collected by your council, your dustbin is going to be much fuller, much quicker - and weigh more too,” Mr Kelly said. “That’s why we also strongly oppose the ’pay as you throw’ bin tax.

“Until there is a consistent, nationwide approach to recycling, any form of bin tax would be unfair and unjust.”