We do clean up after our customers

3:40pm Thursday 21st August 2008

CLR Gary Fox (August 13) calls on Moulton businesses to take responsibility for litter and says there is a problem with litter around the Co-op store.

As a responsible community retailer, we work hard to keep the area clean and tidy and do not believe there is a particular problem around our store.

We have three bins outside the store for the use of customers. The bins are emptied daily and our staff regularly sweep the area around the store to remove any litter.

We are also working on a number of initiatives to reduce the amount of waste that might otherwise go to landfill or litter the streets.

For example we are reducing the amount of packaging on Co-operative own brand products and have dramatically cut the number of free throwaway plastic bags used by encouraging customers to use a greener alternative such as our Fairtrade cotton Bag for Life.

To help shoppers change their habits, we gave 250 of these bags away for free last autumn.

In addition, we encourage local groups to apply for grants from our community fund for projects which help the environment – one of our five main social goals.

We cannot stop people from dropping litter – we can only tidy up after them. We would, however, be happy to support any initiatives or campaigns that will encourage people to put their rubbish in the bins – or better still – recycle it.

ALEX ELSON Manager Co-operative Food Store Moulton