German retailer Edeka is offering FSC-certified charcoal this barbecue season, with the support of WWF, its sustainability partner.
Edeka converted its entire own-brand charcoal assortment to FSC certification in 2016 – the first German grocery retailer to do so.
Heating Up
"Charcoal is not covered by European Timber Regulations," explained Marina Beermann, WWF director with responsibility for the Edeka partnership. "Therefore, neither the authorities in charge nor customs have a handle on charcoal imports sourced from illegal deforestation. Edeka is setting a good example by showing that sustainability is also possible with charcoal."
Most Germans are still barbecuing with charcoal – in 2018, around 250,000 tonnes was used. This is why the WWF advises that charcoal should be sourced from sustainably-managed forests in order to protect climate and biodiversity and to prevent illegal forest clearance.
"Wood and paper is one of the focal points in the cooperation between Edeka and WWF, which is why Edeka's private label brands that use wood, paper and pulp products, including charcoal, are 100% sustainable," said Rolf Lange, head of corporate communication at Edeka headquarters.
Moreover, the discounter has converted 95% of the cardboard and paper packaging of its private labels to sustainable materials, bearing the FSC and/or Blue Angel seals. In addition, Edeka's magazines are printed on 100% certified recycled paper.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Jana Zimmermann. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
