Finnish retailer Kesko has announced the implementation of a number of measures to reduce plastic waste production and promote the recycling and reuse of plastics.
The retail group aims to remove microplastics from its entire range of private-label detergents by the end of this year. In 2017, the company had eliminated the material from its cosmetics range.
The company has also introduced washing bags that collect around 99% of the microfibres released while washing clothes.
Since microfibres are released from synthetic fabrics, these washing bags prevent microplastics from entering water bodies.
Eco-Friendly Measures
In the spring of this year, the company introduced uniform pricing for its plastic, paper and biodegradable shopping bags.
The move was aimed at giving customers a chance to opt for environmentally friendly options at K-Food outlets.
The group also introduced a plastic recycling point for the residents of Otava, in Eastern Finland.
The retailer is also actively working towards curbing the use of thin, small plastic bags, used for buying loose fruit and vegetables.
The money earned by selling these bags is forwarded to the John Nurminen Foundation, which works towards cleaning the Baltic Sea.
According to the retailer, there was a 20% reduction in the consumption of small plastic bags in K-food stores last year.
Alternative Packaging
By the end of 2018, more than half of K-Group's fish supplies will be received by stores in fully recyclable, corrugated cardboard boxes.
This space-saving packaging alternative – apt for transporting fish, meat, berries, and frozen foods – will be provided by DH Smith. The group’s food stores will also use wood fibre-based EcoFishBoxes, produced by Stora Enso.
The K-Group is committed to the EU's objective of bringing down the annual consumption of plastic bags to 40 per capita by 2025.
The group posted grocery sales of €447.5 million in July of this year – an increase of 9.4% in comparable terms.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
