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Sainsbury's to pioneer Front Of Store Recycling

Leading supermarket chain Sainsbury's is set to begin rolling out Valpak's stylish rescape™ banks across its Greater London stores, following successful trials. Sainbury's and Valpak are working with local authorities on the initiative, aimed at finding new strategies for boosting the collection of packaging materials.

The trials at six sites were part of a Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) project to research the viability of introducing Front Of Store Recycling (FOSR) at supermarkets in the UK.

With the trials now complete, the rescape™ Premier recycling units will be installed during 2006 at all suitable Sainsbury's stores in Greater London.

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Shoppers at Sainsbury's supermarkets in Greater London will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of recycling in new-look rescape™ banks. A survey to determine which Sainsbury's sites are appropriate is currently being carried out.

The rescape™ banks will replace existing infrastructure and will be operated by Valpak. The scheme is designed to complement existing local authority services.

Roll-out follows successful WRAP rescape™ trials, which were conducted in conjunction with the London Boroughs of Enfield, Harringey, Richmond, Wandsworth, Waltham Forest and the Royal Borough of Kingston. The full results of the WRAP trial will be published in May 2006.

Materials collected will be broadly the same as during the WRAP trial. These include glass, paper, plastic bottles and mixed metal cans. Tonnage data will be captured and fed back to the relevant local authorities, helping them hit their recycling targets.

Sainsbury's participation is part of a long-term commitment to encouraging recycling at its retail stores. "This is a very positive step by Sainsbury's and one which we very much welcome," said Valpak's Steve Hough. "As we did with the WRAP trial, we are taking a partnership approach, liaising closely with local authorities and involving them in the decision-making process as stakeholders in the project."

For further information about rescape™ banks please register your interest by contacting rescape@valpak.co.uk