SPAR Hungary is consolidating its sustainability initiatives with the introduction of several programmes, including digital solutions to cut down paper consumption, the reduction of plastic film in logistics, and the in-store collection of waste cooking oil.
The retailer has introduced digital solutions to reduce paper-based administration processes in its stores and has eliminated paper-based cleaning logs and refrigeration control sheets.
SPAR Hungary says these measures will help the company reduce paper use by approximately 14 tonnes in 2023.
The introduction of a new online platform has seen printed delivery notes replaced with digital ones, which the retailer says will further cut more than three tonnes of paper from its operations annually.
Reducing Plastic
Elsewhere, through the introduction of reusable tarpaulins to cover shipments of products from the warehouse to stores via roll cages, SPAR Hungary claims it will reduce the use of plastic film by over 59 tonnes per year.
The stores collect the tarpaulins and return them to the warehouse to be used for the next delivery. It commenced the use of these tarpaulins at the end of December 2022.
Furthermore, SPAR Hungary has extended the number of waste cooking oil collection points at SPAR stores nationwide to 80.
It first launched its household oils and grease recycling scheme in 2021. SPAR Hungary’s partner Biotrans Kft. arranges the transport, sedimentation, and heating of the oil and fats, which are then turned into fuel at a biodiesel plant.
Interactive maps help customers find the nearest SPAR store that has collection containers onsite. The updated list of locations is available on SPAR Hungary’s sustainability website.
“Environmental awareness is an important principle for SPAR," said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary. "With this aim, we strive to implement new solutions in almost all areas of our daily operations.”
© 2023 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Robert McHugh. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
