Waste & Recycling
Migros works hard to reduce plastic and replace it with other materials where practical. In 2018, it stepped up its commitment to environmentally friendly packaging solutions and made efforts to avoid waste.
Optimised packaging
The improvement of packaging helps to preserve resources. In line with the principle "prevent – reduce – recycle", Migros strives constantly to systematically reduce the volume of packaging.
Optimised packaging
The improvement of packaging helps to preserve resources. In line with the motto "prevent – reduce – recycle", Migros strives constantly to systematically reduce the volume of packaging, use more recycled material and optimise packaging recycling.
In 2018, Migros made environmental improvements to the packaging of 83 products. For example, Aproz syrup bottles now contain 50% recycled PET (previously 35%) and consist of less material overall. As a result of these measures, more than 60 t of primary PET can be saved per year. Since 2013, Migros has saved a total of 3'849 t of packing material or made it more environmentally friendly. It is thus one step closer to achieving its objective of making environmental improvements to more than 6'000 t of packaging material by 2020.
Since 2017, Micarna has been using a new packaging solution for meat, whereby FSC-certified cardboard is used instead of a PET tray as the carrier material. This reduces the amount of plastic needed by 70%. The material can be easily separated and disposed of in the correct waste bins. This packaging won the European Carton Excellence Award in the "Save the Planet" category in 2018.
By introducing a charge for disposable plastic bags, Cooperative Retailing again managed to reduce consumption in the branches by about 83% in comparison with 2016. In addition to Migros, Denner (since 2017) and migrolino (since 2018) also charge a fee for disposable plastic bags.
Waste avoidance
A third of all food worldwide is thrown away. Cooperative Retailing strives to keep waste from food sales as low as possible.
Waste avoidance
A third of all food worldwide is thrown away. Cooperative Retailing strives to keep waste from food sales as low as possible. In 2018, 98.56% of food in the branches, restaurants and take-aways was sold at a reduced price or donated. 1.41% was used as animal feed, in fermentation or as compost, and 0.03% was incinerated as waste.
To reduce food waste, the restaurants and take-aways of six Cooperatives participated in the "United Against Waste" (UAW) association's coaching sessions, which last several weeks. At Migros Zurich, food waste was reduced by 54% during the pilot phase. In 2018, some branches of Migros Lucerne and Alnatura organic supermarkets in Zurich formed a partnership with the organisation "Too Good To Go", under which food that has not been sold is offered at a third of the price. The concept will be extended this year.
Since 2018, the Mibelle Group has been working with the organisations Caritas and Tischlein Deck dich, which provide food and everyday products for people in need. In total, Mibelle donated over 3.2 t of care products that could not be sold but which were defect-free.
Since introducing reusable bowls in its take-away and restaurant branches in 2017, Migros has reduced the volume of disposable containers by more than 70'000 nationwide; this corresponds to more than 2 t of plastic material. The bowl can be washed and reused up to 100 times, and is much more environmentally friendly than disposal tableware.
Comprehensive recycling system in the branches
In 2018, customers returned 15'866 t of recyclable material to Migros branches, where it was collected and recycled by Migros.
Comprehensive recycling system in the branches
In 2018, customers returned 15'866 t of recyclable material to Migros branches, where it was collected and recycled by Migros. The about 283 million PET drinks bottles accounted for the largest proportion of customer returns (9'096 t). The granules from the recycled bottles are used to make new drinks bottles, among other things – a closed loop.
Since the reporting year, drivers who make deliveries for LeShop have been collecting empty PET bottles. The recycling service can be used by LeShop customers with a delivery subscription in large and medium-sized cities. By the end of 2018, 19.1 t of PET had been collected.
Since 2018, Migros has supported the Design for Recycling Plastics Alliance, which is committed to high-quality plastics recycling. By involving stakeholders along the value-added chain, it supports efforts to create a closed loop for household plastic bottles (PE bottles).
Within the context of a roadshow, Migros addressed environmental topics in the branches at selected shopping centres. On an interactive tour, children and teenagers learned how PET drinks bottles are recycled and how to store food properly in the fridge. Migros also showed how it implements measures to reduce electricity consumption.
