Recycling gets a 21st century facelift, as Secretary of State for Environment, Margaret Beckett, unveils the first in a new era of ‘‘high tech‘‘ recycling facilities at supermarkets. The new recycling facility - built by Norwegians for the supermarket chain Tesco - promises to be faster, cleaner and more efficient than recycling units currently in use.

The facility uses space technology, including infrared spectroscopes and a real time camera, to scan and sort plastic, glass and aluminium and crushes them to maximise use of space. It will be on trial at Tesco‘‘s Winchester store and, depending upon customer feedback, it will be rolled out to other stores across the country. It is hoped that the new machine will help to boost local recycling rates and attract new recyclers. Currently, 16 per cent of household waste is recycled in Winchester.

Secretary of State for Environment, Margaret Beckett said she hoped that the new facilities would attract people who typically don‘‘t recycle and welcomed Tesco‘‘s move to encourage its customers to recycle more. Margaret Beckett said: "I am delighted to see retailers using their unique position to help encourage their customers to recycle. "With nine out of ten people saying they would recycle if it was easier to do so, the new facility being demonstrated today will hopefully attract a new generation of recyclers and encourage those who already do to recycle more."

NOTES

Between 1996/1997 and 2002/2003, recycling in England has almost doubled from 7.5% to 14.5% in 2002/03. Government expects that the 2003/4 national target of recycling and composting 17% of total household waste will be met, the first time such a target will ever have been achieved. A more ambitious national target of recycling and composting 25% of total household waste has been set for 2005/6