Sainsbury’s intensifies Christmas card recycling

With more than a billion greeting cards sold each year in the UK Sainsbury's is encouraging Brits to recycle by extending the number of Christmas card collection points in its stores this year.


The collection boxes will be in more than 1,000 supermarkets and convenience stores throughout the country until the 14th January with efforts aimed at helping the Forest Stewardship Council UK (FSC) promote responsible management of the world’s forests.

Sainsbury’s will recycle the collected cards and make a donation to the FSC based on the volume of cards collected in its stores.

According to the retailer, the decision to extend its operation was based on latest research that suggests despite the popularity of technology traditional handwritten cards are still as popular as ever.

It found that of the 2,000 Brits recently surveyed, nine out of ten send traditional Christmas cards and half recycle cards or wrapping paper once the holidays are over.

Sainsbury’s head of sustainability, engineering and energy said that by growing Sainsbury’s recycling activity this year there would be a bigger response from customers and in turn a larger donation.

“It’s an important donation for the invaluable work of the FSC and it complements the customer recycling centres at our stores, which is all part of our promise to put all waste to positive use,” he added.

FSC UK deputy director Rosie Teasdale said: “Recycling paper results in less waste going to landfill, it reduces the pressure on forests, and it’s helping to give future generations the gift of healthy forests.”

Leigh Stringer

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