The 1st Warsash Beavers collected bagfuls of soft plastics for the store to recycle, so Tesco colleagues made the thrown-away items into a big octopus, which is now on display to encourage customers to recycle their own plastics at the store’s dedicated recycling point.
Customers can bring in a variety of soft plastic items including crisps packets, bread bags and cling film that Tesco will recycle and reuse in its operations.
As a thank-you for helping the environment, the Beavers had a tour of the store and even served customers on tills.
Caroline Mannell, the store’s community champion, said: “The planet is not only here for us all now, but also for future generations – so it’s lovely to see young people such as those in the 1st Warsash Beavers doing what they can for the environment.
“They particularly loved serving on the tills, and the customers got into the spirit of it as well. Everyone really enjoyed the day.
“Tesco’s recycling efforts aim to reduce landfill waste and support a circular economy. In the past year, the company has removed a billion pieces of plastic.
“It’s also cut down on plastic packaging by about 3,500 tonnes a year. This helps everyone play a part in protecting the environment.”
In addition to the Beavers’ fun day, store colleagues visited the Fareham Scout Band to present them with £300, which was collected at the in-store charity bookcase.
For the past three years customers have supported the fundraising bookcase, with lovers of literature able to choose a hardback or paperback and make a donation to a chosen good cause.
The scheme is the brainchild of Caroline Mannell, who has seen it raise more than £4,000 for a wide range of charities.
She added: “The bookcase has been a huge success since we started it, with local good causes such as Sophie’s Legacy, Jigsaw Pre-school and The Friday Night Charity all benefiting from the money we’ve raised.
“I know that the Fareham Scout Band are desperate for money to purchase new bugles ready for D-Day commemorations in June, so we were delighted to give them some money towards that.”