SPAR cuts plastic film use by more than 59 tonnes annually

SPAR saves a significant amount of plastic film each year by using reusable rolling racket plastic blankets in its logistics processes to cover some its deliveries to the stores.

By the end of December 2022, SPAR has started to use more than 35 000 pieces of roll blankets. In the logistics chain, products are transported from the warehouses to the stores, first placed on rolling racks and trolleys and then secured onto these. The latter process used to be done with foil, but from now roll blankets are used wherever possible. From the warehouse, the blanket-covered trolleys are transported to the stores on lorries, and the empty trolleys and collected blankets are returned to the warehouse to be used again for the next delivery.

“One of the cornerstones of our business philosophy is to operate in an environmentally responsible way, which is why we pay particular attention to minimising negative environmental impacts. The use of roll blankets also supports the corporate group’s objectives to significantly reduce waste generation by 2030 through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.  In terms of the separation of secondary raw materials – paper, plastics – generated and sold in our stores, the recycling rate has increased from the initial 46 percent to more than 70 percent in our shops. Of course, the best packaging waste is the one never produced in the first place. In the case of the roll blankets that is exactly what we are doing: we are replacing a significant amount of plastic film with an environmentally-friendly solution,” explained Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

SPAR calculates that it will save at least 59 tonnes of plastic packaging material per year, reducing its environmental impact.