Tesco has a tradition of involvement with, and support for, the communities in which it works. It also takes seriously its responsibility to the environment and to animal welfare.
Tesco has undertaken to reduce significantly the amount of packaging used for its products. By the year 2000, much of Tesco packaging will be recyclable. Compatible plastics will be used to ensure that if there are two types of plastic in the same packaging, they can be recycled together without having to be separated. Tesco is also committed to using as little packaging as possible, to using packaging that helps to extend shelf life, and to giving preference to materials that are recyclable. In the car parks of most Tesco superstores, there are bottle banks and collecting points for paper.
Responding to concerns over air pollution, Tesco launched low benzene petrol at its filling stations in the south- east and is planning to make this available across the rest of the UK. The launch of low benzene petrol was attended by the Transport Minister, Steven Norris MP.
As a further proof of its determination to safeguard the environment, Tesco has pledged to phase out ozone-depleting refrigerants within the next 10 years, and has been working on measures to do so for some years. The next stage is a major programme to phase out CFCs and HCFCs. They will be replaced by HFC gas which is not harmful tothe ozone layer of the earth's atmosphere. We continue to evaluate alternatives as they become available.
Tesco also promotes information and products to allow customers to care for their personal health.