GERMANY – Schwarz Group, a multinational retail group that operates Lidl and Kaufland, has announced a new goal to reduce plastic usage in its private label packaging by 30% across all divisions by 2030.
In the 2022 fiscal year, Lidl and Kaufland reduced their plastic usage for private label packaging by 28% compared to the baseline year of 2017. This reduction was achieved across all thirty-two countries where they operate.
An average of 17% recycled material is currently being used in the plastic private label packaging for Lidl and Kaufland across countries, as explained by Schwarz Group.
Kaufland reduced plastic usage by 31% and Lidl by 29% in their German operations. They achieved this by incorporating 34% and 27% recycled plastic, respectively.
In Germany, Lidl has achieved a recyclability rate of 56% for its private label packaging, while Kaufland has achieved a rate of 51%.
The Schwarz Group attributes this to its commitment to designing packaging that is recyclable. They have transitioned to using mono-materials for a significant portion of their private label packaging, allowing for reuse within the same material flow.
Lidl’s Metzgerfrisch, or fresh chicken, is now being packaged in recycled material obtained from recycling bins and bags. This material has undergone rinsing, sorting, and processing to meet food safety standards.
Furthermore, the amount of recycled material used in laundry, cleaning, and household products has been increased. This includes the use of recycled material in Formil color laundry detergent and K-Classic toilet cleaner.
The Schwarz Group is continuing its collaboration with the environmental service provider, PreZero, in order to further enhance its utilization of recycled materials.
Steps taken to reduce the weight of each private-label pack include cutting down on packaging materials and removing the closing clip for K-Bio Vitalgebäck organic cookies at Kaufland. Additionally, the handle of Lidl’s Milbona Greek cream yoghurt has been removed, and new vacuum packaging has been introduced.
Each of these measures is set to contribute towards the joint group-wide Reset Plastic strategy. The company states that its original goal of reducing plastic usage by 20% across countries by 2025 has already been exceeded. It has now set new targets to reduce plastic usage in its private label packaging by 30% across divisions by 2025 and by 35% by 2027.
Focus on sustainability in Bulgaria
Food retailers Billa, Kaufland, and Lidl have implemented a range of sustainability initiatives in Bulgaria aimed at minimizing their environmental footprint.
Billa Bulgaria has replaced all paper labels with electronic labels in all 151 of its stores across the country. The project cost BGN 15 million (US$8.08 million) and resulted in a 60% reduction in paper consumption, according to the retailer.
The new electronic labels provide more accurate product information, including data on the origin, weight, and price of each item. This makes it easier for customers to shop.
Kaufland Bulgaria has pledged to reduce plastic consumption by 35% by 2027 and is taking several steps to achieve this goal. One of these steps includes the implementation of automatic machines for returning plastic bottles and beverage cans.
It is also offering reusable bread bags made from 100% recycled plastic, as well as reusable bags for fruit and vegetables and shopping bags made from 80% recycled waste film.
Meanwhile, Lidl Bulgaria has surpassed its original goal of reducing plastic in its own brand products by 20% by 2025. In 2022, they achieved a reduction of 27%.
The discounter has now set a new target of reducing plastic by 30% by 2025 and 35% by 2027.
Lidl Bulgaria has achieved a recyclability rate of 63% for its own-brand product packaging and utilizes an average of 16% recycled material.
The German discounter is also taking other steps to reduce plastic pollution. They are introducing automatic machines for accepting plastic bottles and beverage cans, as well as participating in the international initiative ‘Together for Cleaner Rivers: River CleanUp Collective’.
