Multiple supermarket Asda yesterday (25 July) said it would stop sending waste to landfill sites by 2010. The move was unveiled as part of a wide-ranging campaign to save energy and lessen the chain’s negative impact on the environment.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The ‘zero waste to landfill’ pledge means that everything the supermarket disposes at the back of its 307 stores will be recycled, reused or composted instead of being sent to landfill.


The Wal-Mart subsidiary has also embarked on an 18-month review of its own brand packaging, with an eye to reducing the amount of household rubbish jettisoned by its shoppers once they arrive home. It has already redesigned its salad bags to reduce the thickness of the plastic by 15% and removed an unnecessary cardboard sleeve on a selection of its ready meals.


David Cheesewright, chief operating officer at Asda, said: “We’re determined to stop sending stuff from our stores to landfill sites. We also want to help our customers reduce the amount of rubbish they throw away each week… It’s a massive commitment that’s set to have a huge impact on the environment.”


Last year Asda opened four purpose-built recycling facilities at a cost of GBP32m (US$58.9m) enabling its fleet of delivery trucks to collect cardboard and plastic packaging from the back of stores.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Pressure in the UK has been mounting for food retailers and manufacturers to adopt more environmentally sound policies – with the Women’s Institute campaigning to reduce packaging and the UK’s Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ Food Industry Sustainability Strategy.

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now