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6 | The Grocer | 13 January 2018 Get the full story at thegrocer.co.uk
in the grocer
One year ago
Tesco closes two of
its distribution cen-
tres and slashes 500
jobs in a move that it
says will create a more
efficient distribution
network.Five years ago
Morrisons kicks off
tough negotiations
with its suppliers to
tackle falling sales
before the end of the
financial year.10 years ago
Sainsbury’s looks set
to rip out its ill-fated
auto picking pro-
gramme as it sees
its shares fall to a
52-week low of 350p.25 years ago
Retailers will be tar-
geted by a new squad
of 200 frontline cus-
toms inspectors to
tackle the expected
wave of cross-channel
bootleggers.Tesco to trial DRS in
fight against plastic
May called plastic waste an ‘environmental scourge’Ian Quinn and Helen
Gilbert
Tesco is to trial a deposit
return scheme to explore
how the system could
work in practice.
In the week prime min-
ister Theresa May set
out government plans to
eliminate all avoidable
plastic waste by the end
of 2042, Tesco revealed
its plans for DRS in a
document setting out its
vision for reducing plas-
tic pollution.
‘We do support devel-
oping a cost-effective
deposit return system
(DRS) and are currently
working with a num-
ber of partners to scope
a project to explore how
this can operate in prac-
tice and at scale. We view
DRS as only one aspect of
the holistic approach thatis required to achieve the
broader goals of reduc-
ing waste and increasing
recycling in the UK,’ read
the Tesco document.
Greenpeace UK sen-
ior oceans campaigner
Louise Edge said: “It’s
great news that Britain’s
biggest retailer has come
out firmly in support of
deposit return schemes.“The public support
DRS, at least three of our
supermarket chains now
support DRS, even Coca-
Cola support DRS, and
the Scottish government
have committed to intro-
ducing a scheme there.
Instead of announcing
vague aspirations for
2043, the government
should be implementinga DRS right now.”
Under the govern-
ment’s plans on plastic
reduction, supermar-
kets will be encouraged
to introduce plastic-free
aisles in which all food is
sold loose.
Other proposals in
the 25-year environmen-
tal plan include extend-
ing the 5p carrier bag
charge to retailers with
fewer than 250 workers
in England, and intro-
ducing a tax on takeaway
containers.
The prime minister
described plastic waste
as “truly one of the great
environmental scourges
of our time”. “In years
to come, I think people
will be shocked at how
today we allow so much
plastic to be produced
needlessly.”Murrells welcomed Gove
move on farms and climateTesco won the award for
Grocer of the Year in 2017Co-op boss Steve Murrells
has launched a plea to
Theresa May to avoid a
“cliff edge” departure
from Europe, calling for
continued long-term co-
operation and partner-
ship with the EU.
Murrells said a “co-
operative Brexit” could
be good for Britain, but
would not happen if the
government closed the
door on Europe.
The CEO said climate
change was just one
major issue that would
still need a co-ordinated
approach across Europe.
“I welcome Michael
Murrells urges May to ensure
‘co-operative’ future with EU
Gove’s commitment to
caring for the environ-
ment,” Murrells said in
a speech at the Oxford
Farming Conference last
Friday. “It’s good news
that future farm subsidy
payments will be used
to encourage farmersto protect our planet.
There’s only so much
we can do by ourselves
without also working
with local authorities,
national government
and our competitors. Our
future relationship with
Europe has to recognise
that a co-ordinated, co-
operative approach to cli-
mate change is needed if
we’re to create level play-
ing fields for businesses
all across the globe.”
Murrells also cited
labour as another key
area where the govern-
ment had to continue
working with the EU.The search is on for the
winners of the Grocer
Gold Awards 2018.
There are 20 categories
to enter, celebrating out-
standing achievement
across the full gamut of
grocery retail and fmcg,
including accolades for
the best brands and own
label ranges, initiatives
in sustainability, con-
sumer outreach and food
surplus, as well as for the
top-performing retail-
ers, wholesalers, big and
small, online and off,
takehome and food to go.
You have till 5 March
to enter. The winners willGrocer Gold Awards
2018 open for entry
be announced at a glit-
tering ceremony at the
Guildhall in London on
12 June.
For more information
go to thegrocergolda-
wards.co.uk or contact
rebecca.george@wrbm.
com.A Davidson/SHM/REX/ShutterstockENVIRONMENTAL SCOURGE
In years to come, I think people will be shocked at
how today we allow so much plastic to be produced
needlessly – Theresa May