Operational Waste
**We hate waste of any kind**
Reducing our operational waste is a key part of our Zero Waste strategy to reduce our impact on our environment and to increase operational efficiency.
In 2054, operational waste redistribution stood at 89.2% (2024:87.7%).
We focus on three areas: reduction, redistribution and repurpose and use a range of methods to keep waste from landfills, including: reuse/ repurpose /recycling; anaerobic digestion; incineration with energy recovery; donations to charities; re-sell/liquidation; animal food production, composting and thermal incineration.
Diverting waste from landfills means less greenhouse gas emissions and less soil and water pollution. Recycling or repurposing existing materials also creates less need to extract and produce new materials.
Polystyrene packing from our stores is compacted into briquettes for recycling and reuse.
The largest type of waste we handle at our sites comes from the secondary or transit packaging on the goods we sell. All our cardboard and plastic film is sorted at the back of each store and returned to one of our nine Asda Service Centres around the UK. There, materials are further separated and baled ready for recycling by our waste service providers. The cardboard is most likely to return to Asda as a new cardboard box, and the plastic film is segregated by polymer type and some of it returns for a second life as an Asda Bag For Life.
Reuse. Recycle. Reimagine.
Smart viewing, smarter waste solutions
In a UK supermarket first, we launched the sale of refurbished TVs—supporting our environmental strategy and circular economy goals by extending product life and incorporating recycled materials. The HD LED Smart Sharp and Polaroid TVs offer a more affordable choice for customers, particularly those shopping on tighter budgets.
In selected stores, customers can choose from a range of screen sizes—32”, 40”, and 50”. Each TV comes in clearly labelled, newly repackaged boxes, with energy ratings, barcodes, and images to make it easy for customers to see they’re refurbished.
With a recommended retail price of around £240 for a new 50” HD LED Smart Polaroid TV, customers can save up to £80 by opting for the refurbished model at just £160—delivering great value while helping reduce electronic waste.
Podback for Coffee Lovers
In January 2025, we partnered with Podback to make recycling used coffee pods easier through our Asda toYou parcel returns service, available in more than 600 stores nationwide. The service allows customers to return used aluminium and plastic coffee pods as part of their regular shop, helping make recycling more convenient and accessible.
The partnership has already delivered significant results. In its first year, customers recycled more than 20 million coffee pods through the scheme, returning over 250,000 Podback bags via Asda stores. This makes Asda the UK's largest in-store coffee pod recycling network.
Coffee pods can be difficult to recycle through household collections due to their size and organic content. Through Podback, the coffee grounds are transformed into renewable energy and soil improver, while the aluminium and plastic are recycled into new products, including drinks cans, building materials and garden furniture.
The success of the scheme demonstrates how making recycling simple and convenient can help customers adopt more sustainable habits and supports our ambition to reduce waste and keep valuable materials in circulation
Find your nearest recycling point: https://www.podback.org/recycle-checker