Carrefour announces a new programme to reduce plastic packaging. The French retail group aims to save up to 5,000 tonnes of plastic, according to its own statements, and pass on the cost advantages achieved to consumers. The measure is intended to strengthen customers' purchasing power against the backdrop of rising plastic prices and higher packaging costs.
Carrefour points out that it has already saved 25,000 tonnes of plastic since the launch of its sustainability initiative „Act For Food“. The programme now announced is expected to achieve further savings of more than five million euros. The company states that it intends to reinvest this sum in price reductions of up to almost ten percent on selected products.
Five measures by 2030
The core of the programme involves several packaging initiatives across different product groups. For example, plastic outer packaging for promotional multi-packs will be phased out. In addition, Carrefour plans to reduce plastic packaging for hygiene and cleaning products through refill solutions, larger containers, and solid product forms. This area alone could save around 2,000 tonnes of plastic, according to the company.
Further measures include the replacement of plastic packaging for toilet paper with paper-based solutions, the expansion of reusable and deposit systems, and new packaging concepts for baked goods with a higher cardboard content. Overall, these steps are intended to enable the targeted saving of more than 5,000 tonnes of plastic.
Rising costs of new plastic
Carrefour cites high volatility in commodity markets as the reason. According to the company, prices for new plastic have risen by around 50 per cent within twelve months, as a result of developments in oil markets and increased packaging duties. This has a lasting impact on the packaging costs of many consumer goods, which continue to be predominantly packaged in plastic.
Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard stated: „Carrefour was among the early trailblazers in the fight against plastic pollution. Today, we are taking a further step and launching an initiative that is unprecedented in retail: we have decided to reinvest the savings from reducing plastic directly into our customers“ purchasing power.”
Source: Carrefour
