Major US supermarkets Hannaford Bros and Stop & Shop have teamed with the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers to capture in-store plastic waste, according to a report in Plastics News.

The two supermarket chains in Northeast US have launched a program to recycle the rigid high-density polyethylene and polypropylene bulk packaging that accumulates in-store.

APR aims to roll out the initiative, which targets pre-consumer stock waste, nationwide. According to the association, the average supermarket generates at least 40 pounds of wide-mouth rigid containers weekly, which adds up to more than 350 million pounds generated annually in the US.

The APR predicts the scheme will quickly gain traction in light of growing demand for quality, rigid HDPE and PP containers and the potential revenue stream they present.