Community plan launched
Tesco has committed to being 'a positive part of local communities' by halving energy use, doubling recycling and helping local producers.

Chief executive Terry Leahy outlined the 10-point Tesco in the Community Plan, designed to earn customers' 'lifetime loyalty', in a speech to the Work Federation research group today.

It was revealed the supermarket chain is in the process of designing an Express fascia that will blend in better with local settings, as well as reducing congestion by cutting the number of deliveries to these stores.

From next year, whenever a superstore is planned a public exhibition will be held, or local communities will be 'consulted proactively'.

In a bid to improve the number and range of local products, open days will be held in every region for suppliers to meet Tesco buyers. There are also plans for stores to include regional counters and more money to be spent on marketing local produce.

As revealed alongside its preliminary results two weeks ago, the supermarket giant has committed to halving the energy use in all its buildings by 2010.£100 million has been set aside to fund wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal power and pilot gasification at stores.

Leahy stressed the need for the Government to make it easier to obtain planning permission for sustainable technology projects.

The grocer also hopes to double the volume customers bring into the store to recycle. If successful, it will equal 10 per cent of the total additional tonnage needed to meet the UK's EU packaging recycling targets.

All carrier bags will be degradable by September this year and the company hopes to reduce the number of plastic bags it gives customers by a quarter over the next two years.