The first automated recycling centre has been opened at a Scottish supermarket.
The new facility at Tesco Extra in Shettleston, Glasgow, is designed to make recycling quicker, easier and more convenient as shoppers can recycle a variety of materials in the same machine.
The new machine accepts cans, plastic and glass which is then compacted on site. This means less lorry collections are needed which reduced the amount of carbon emissions.
Environment Minister Richard Lochhead said at the opening of the new facility: "I am delighted to open this automated recycling centre and try out this new facility for myself.
"The Scottish Government feels strongly about reducing waste. However, we cannot deliver our aims and objectives in isolation. These can only be achieved by working in partnership with others, including the private sector.
"So it is always encouraging to see projects and initiatives which directly contribute towards our vision of a zero waste society".
Tesco spokesperson Louise Goodland said: "Recycling is a key issue for our customers and as a responsible retailer we are committed to helping our shoppers adopt green habits.
"They have asked us to make recycling easier, more fun and more convenient and this is what the new automated machines are designed to do for the whole community.
"Glass is smashed, plastic bottles and aluminum cans and tins are shredded and granulated to reduce them to a fraction of their original size. This is recycling made easy".
Pupils from local Wellshot Primary had made pictures of "what recycling means to me".
Mr Lochhead and store manager Mark Whittet presented the best entry with a prize of a £100 Tesco gift card . A donation of £500 was also made to the school.
The TOMRA recycling machine which cost Tesco around £150,000 is already used in many European countries.
Recyclable items are dropped into the machine and lasers scan and identify the material being deposited. These are then transferred mechanically onto a conveyor system and crushed and/or shredded prior to being deposited into collection bins.
The TOMRA machines can recycle glass bottles and jars, steel and aluminum food and drink cars, plastic bottles, yoghurt pots and plastic food trays.
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