Tesco is embarking on a six-week trial program that will enable customers at two stores to leave whatever packaging they deem excessive, or don't want, at the supermarket.

The pilot will be conducted at the U.K. retailer's Tesco Extra stores in Guildford and Ilminster; and follows a packaging conservation campaign conducted by the Women's Institute four years ago.

The trial program is part of Tesco's broader initiative to seek new ways to streamline packaging and further promote recycling of the packaging that consumers do receive.

Tesco is testing the idea that if shoppers are presented with an easy, immediate and free opportunity to recycle packaging, they will -- and in doing so will show Tesco and its suppliers what's needed and what can be trimmed or discontinued.

The pilot program is the latest in a series of over 3,500 waste reduction and recycling projects by Tesco, which have resulted in 87 percent of its waste being diverted from landfill.