POLAND – Polish discount supermarket Biedronka has teamed up with Mondi to create a closed-loop recycling program for corrugated packaging, aligning with its sustainability goals to reduce plastic consumption and lower CO₂ emissions.
Under this initiative, waste paper collected from Biedronka stores is processed at Mondi’s paper mill in Świecie.
The recycled paper is then delivered to one of Mondi’s six Polish factories, where it is transformed into corrugated cardboard packaging, including fruit and vegetable crates.
Biedronka’s suppliers use this packaging to transport products to logistics centres and, subsequently, to stores.
Once consumers empty the cardboard, it is returned to distribution centers, where Mondi collects it for recycling, completing the closed-loop cycle.
This initiative supports zero-waste principles while ensuring compliance with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and other environmental policies.
Biedronka has set ambitious sustainability goals to reduce its environmental footprint. One key target is to cut plastic consumption by 10% by 2025, using 2018 as the baseline.
This initiative aims to minimize plastic waste in packaging and logistics, supporting the company’s commitment to sustainable retail practices.
In addition, Biedronka is focused on reducing its CO₂ emissions by 10% by 2026, measured against a 2021 baseline.
This effort aligns with broader industry trends and regulatory expectations, emphasizing the retailer’s dedication to lowering its carbon footprint across operations, supply chains, and distribution networks.
“Creating a truly circular economy for corrugated packaging in retail requires a collective effort,” said Mateusz Buchowiecki, Key Account Manager at Mondi’s Corrugated Solutions team in Poland.
“This partnership sets a new standard for sustainability while paving the way for scalable solutions across Europe.”
Agnieszka Koc, Sustainability and ESG Director at Biedronka, emphasized the initiative’s importance: “This closed-loop program enables us to strategically reduce virgin material use and enhance recycling efforts, marking a major milestone in our environmental journey.”
Growing industry trends
This announcement follows a similar initiative by Albert Heijn, Aldi, Carrefour, Colruyt, Delhaize, and Lidl, piloting reusable mushroom packaging in collaboration with the Reusable Packaging Coalition.
The project aims to standardize packaging, making reuse more practical and scalable across Europe.
By mid-2025, customers in the Mechelen region will have access to reusable mushroom containers, which will be industrially washed and refilled—extending their lifespan and reducing single-use plastic waste.
Biedronka and Mondi’s partnership reflects a broader industry shift toward circular packaging solutions. These solutions help retailers meet stringent EU regulations while advancing sustainable innovation.
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