Recycling off the Agenda?

'The Environment' is one of the headings on Tesco's tescostalbans.co.uk website, which contains the company's spin on its proposal for St Albans. It makes a big play of new innovations such as 'low-energy fans, cold air retrieval systems, timers on lights and high efficiency refrigeration units' (while of course ignoring the fact that not having an air-conditioned store that attracts 500+ cars per hour and generates thousands of plastic bags would use less energy).

However, Tesco's green credentials have taken a further knock. In response to an email from Stop Tesco's Ian Langford asking about recycling facilities, Tesco's Michael Kissman (hello again!) replied, saying,

"Detailed consideration has been given to the siting of recycling facilities within the car park. However, the height of the ground floor and the construction of the podium level of the proposed car park would not enable the manoeuvrability of the vehicles needed to empty the units. We are, however, considering alternative options".

We think this means that there won't be recycling bins. So there goes the simplest way a supermarket can help the environment.

PS. Environmentally-concerned readers may also remember that last year Tesco was found out exporting CDs to Switzerland and then sending them back to the UK to avoid paying VAT, despite the obvious environmental damage this was causing!