Tesco has said over 100 of its own-label products will feature fully recyclable black plastic by the end of December.

It is part of an initiative to redirect 448 tonnes of non-recyclable plastic waste and boost recycling rates.

At its national supplier briefing involving over 300 of its own-label and branded suppliers, Tesco confirmed it has launched fully recyclable packaging in a suite of its own-label meat, chilled ready meals and fresh produce lines.

The company wants to end hard-to-recycle plastics in its business before the end of 2019.

Pigment changes in this Tesco packaging - which involves infra-red detectability in black plastic trays used for meat and other products - will mean 448 tonnes of plastic can now be recycled, it says.

All of Ireland's waste plants have the technology to detect the pigment.

Up to now, all black-coloured plastic trays have been non-detectable in recycling plants - which limited the volumes that could be captured for recycling.

Changes made in the packaging manufacturing process to include a detectable pigment will mean that once placed clean, dry and loose into the household recycling bin, these products are more readily recyclable at waste plants.

File photo of a Tesco sign

While the provider of Tesco own-label fresh meat and breakfast meats, Hilton, has already moved to the detectable black trays.

The remaining suppliers hope to transition to detectable black plastic trays by the end of December this year.

Tesco Ireland CEO Kari Daniels spoke at a recent supplier briefing.

She said: "Our target is to ensure we never use more packaging than is needed.

"Where we need packaging, because it serves a clear purpose like reducing food waste or to protect a product in transit, we do our best to ensure that what we do use is from sustainable sources and where possible, goes on to be reused or recycled.

"Partnering with our suppliers we've worked to harness new technological breakthroughs like this.

"Collaboration is helping us to meet our ambitious goals.

"I recognise we have more to do but today I am very proud of this development in our business, which brings us a step closer to our target".

While Séamus Clancy, CEO of Repak, added: "We welcome this very positive development by Tesco, which will have a substantial impact on the volume of rigid plastic which can be detected in recycling plants.

"It is paramount that initiatives like this are coupled with best practice recycling from consumers, who can play their part by ensuring only clean, dry and loose rigid plastics go in the household recycling bin."

All future black plastic trays on new Tesco own-label products will also use detectable plastic.