Spanish retailer Mercadona has replaced disposable single-use plastic kitchenware across all stores with sustainable alternatives.
The new kitchenware is made with environmentally friendly materials such as cardboard, wood, sugar cane, as well as reusable plastic.
The move marks the completion of the second component of Mercadona's Strategy 6.25 initiative, aimed at reducing plastic use and ensuring the proper management of plastic waste.
The completion of this second step has allowed the retailer to eliminate 3,000 tonnes of plastic per year from its operations.
The packaging of the kitchenware range features a pictogram indicating the process of disposal to make recycling easier and ensure a circular economy.
Mercadona has also introduced recyclable household products as part of Strategy 6.25.
Plastic Use
By 2025, the retailer aims to reduce plastic use by 25%, make all its plastic packaging recyclable, and recycle all plastic waste generated by the company.
Mercadona is executing Strategy 6.25 through six actions that entail modifications in different company processes, such as redesigning the packaging of products in coordination with suppliers, adapting stores and logistics, and waste management.
In total, the company plans to invest €140 million in the next four years to execute all the components of this strategy.
Last January, the retailer achieved the first milestone by eliminating single-use plastic bags from all physical stores, in-home and online services.
The chain now offers customers compostable bags - made from potato starch - that need to be disposed of in the organic matter bin.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
