04/06/2007
New on-pack labelling scheme to help recycle more
Morrisons is introducing a new labelling scheme for own brand packaging. Called "Recyclopedia", it aims to help increase awareness of what can be recycled and where. The scheme has been welcomed by the national recycling campaign, Recycle Now* and is launched during Recycle Now Week.
The "Recyclopedia" guide has three easy to recognise symbols for packaging:
Big grin 100% recyclable or home compostable
Smiling partly recyclable
Not smiling yet not recyclable but we are working on it
Each symbol has a ‘speech bubble' giving information about what can be recycled and how to find out where.
One of the first products to feature "Recyclopedia" is Morrisons The Best Tarte au Citron. The smiling symbol shows that the packaging is partly recyclable. If every carton bought in a year was recycled, over six tonnes of packaging would be saved from going to landfill.
Packaging Technologist, Mark Lee, commented: "We all want to do our bit to reduce waste and recycle more. At Morrisons we are working to reduce packaging, looking for more sustainable sources and recyclable materials to avoid packaging waste being sent to landfill, wherever we can. We're not claiming to have all of the answers yet, but we can share what we do know with our customers and together help the environment."
To support of the launch of "Recyclopedia" during Recycle Now Week, Morrisons will be conducting a UK wide recycling quiz in all its stores on Friday 8th June. This aims to find out about awareness of recycling and the results will be used by Morrisons to help inform future decisions about packaging.
Amanda Barry Hirst from Recycle Now, said: "Recycling is one of the simplest and most effective things we can do to protect the environment. We welcome initiatives like Recyclopedia as a good way to raise public awareness and help people to recycle more."