Consum eliminates more than 1,300 tonnes of plastic per year with its Packaging Reduction Plan.

Consum eliminates 1,301.8 tonnes of plastic per year by replacing, reducing and reusing this material, as part of its Packaging Reduction Plan. The Co-operative is studying all its packaging to ensure that it is recyclable, compostable and reusable by 2030.

As a novelty, Consum has incorporated compostable bags in its retail sections, which will replace single-use plastic bags. This measure, together with the incorporation of reusable jute and polypropylene bags, will mean that 592 tonnes of plastic will no longer be put on the market each year.

The replacement of conventional shopping bags with bags containing more than 70% recycled plastic, introduced in April 2019, represents a saving of 610 tonnes of virgin plastic. In addition, these bags are made from the plastic waste recovered from the Cooperative itself, committing to the circular economy to further reduce the amount of plastic generated.

Consum has also opted to replace the plastic wrapping of the monthly gift vouchers and personalised discounts sent to the homes of members-customers, as well as that of the magazine Entrenosotros, with certified FSC paper. This measure eliminates 48.06 tonnes of plastic per year.

Own brand and replacement by recycled cardboard

Another of the Cooperative’s lines of action to reduce the use of plastic has been in the packaging of its own brand, with the incorporation of 45% recycled plastic in the packaging of Consum dishwashers and household cleaners and 1-litre refrigerated juices, whose packaging contains 52% recycled plastic, among others. These measures have meant removing 46.5 tonnes of plastic from the market. In addition, the dimensions and thicknesses of the packaging of Consum ice cream tubs, water carafes and crisp packaging, for example, have also been reduced by 6-9%.

Consum is opting for more sustainable materials, while maintaining the quality and safety of the product. Thus, cardboard has been chosen in order to reduce secondary packaging elements. An example of this can be seen in Consum whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk, where the plastic grouping of the 6-pack has been replaced by cardboard. The recyclability of brick packaging has also been improved by eliminating the intermediate metal.

In products with cardboard packaging, FSC cardboard has been chosen, as in the case of rubbish bags, freezer bags, film boxes from the oven, vegetable stock or ice cream boxes.

As part of its sustainability policy to eliminate and reduce the use of plastic, the Cooperative now has 88 bulk product references in its fruit and vegetable section and has improved the packaging of the Consum ECO product, made of compostable plastic and cardboard. In addition, it also has biodegradable trays in the cut meat section.

Commitment to the circular economy

Within the framework of its environmental policy, Consum has set itself the objective of using the most sustainable resources, enabling the recovery of any waste generated, promoting environmental and social responsibility through the continuous improvement of management and environmental awareness.

The Cooperative is currently the only food distribution company with AENOR “Zero Waste” certification in all its logistics platforms, supporting its commitment to the circular economy. This means that it has a documented system for the management of the waste generated in its platforms, the traceability of all waste, from production to final management and its recovery. Consum is thus ahead of European specifications that aim to recycle 50% of its waste by 2020 and 70% by 2030, while trying to minimise its impact on the environment each year.

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