In 2019, Migros made its range of garden products and ornamental plants more environmentally friendly. It also introduced plastic-free alternatives to its disposable tableware.
Environmentally friendly garden products
As part of an industry agreement, Cooperative Retailing set itself the goal in 2019 of reducing the proportion of peat in ornamental plants from the current level of 70% to 5% by 2030.
Environmentally friendly garden products
As part of an industry agreement, Cooperative Retailing set itself the goal in 2019 of reducing the proportion of peat in ornamental plants from the current level of approximately 70% to 5% by 2030. The depletion of peat and the associated drainage of moorland is destroying the natural habitats of many species of plants and animals. It also releases environmentally harmful gases into the atmosphere. Migros stopped using peat in all its bagged soil in 2013.
Migros is continuously expanding its range of garden products and ornamental plants. At the end of 2019, the proportion of sales of organic garden products, including fertiliser, soil and plant protection, under the Migros Bio Garden label stood at 28.6%. Certified edible plants, such as herbs and vegetable seedlings, with the Migros Bio label made up 66.4% of sales.
Migros also decided to stop selling potentially invasive non-native plants in 2020. It removed cherry laurel from the range in 2019 and also replaced the Ticino palm tree.
Sustainable textiles
Socially and environmentally sustainable production of textiles is important to Migros.
Sustainable textiles
Socially and environmentally sustainable production of textiles is important to Migros. At the end of 2019, 65.8% (2018: 66.4%) of all textile products in Cooperative Retailing carried a sustainable label and met the requirements of Eco, GOTS, Oeko-Tex Made in Green and bluesign. For clothing, the proportion stood at 76.5% (2018: 75.7%).
In addition to implementing external standards at all suppliers, specialists also audited the working conditions at three Turkish textile factories. The factories produce socks, leggings and outerwear for Migros. The result was positive: no illegal practices were observed. However, the factories need to correct smaller non-conformities, such as inadequate marking of emergency escape routes.
Plastic-free disposable range
Since 2019, Migros has been gradually switching the range of disposable tableware in Cooperative Retailing to ecological alternatives.
Plastic-free disposable range
Since 2019, Migros has been gradually switching the range of disposable tableware in Cooperative Retailing to ecological alternatives. The first plastic products were removed from the range and replaced with products made of renewable resources such as FSC cardboard, sugar cane, palm leaves and organic plastic (CPLA). With the ongoing changes up to the end of 2020, Migros will save around 560 tonnes of plastic annually.
Sustainable investment
Migros Bank offers a wide range of sustainable investment funds. In 2019, their volume rose by 26.9% to CHF 415 million.
Sustainable investment
Migros Bank offers a wide range of sustainable investment funds. In 2019, their volume rose by 26.9% to CHF 415 million. The funds invest in companies that set an example in terms of ecological and social responsibility and corporate management, and which are also financially attractive. To measure the level of sustainability and select investments, Migros Bank works with MSCI ESG Research, a leading provider of sustainability analysis.
An environmental rating of Swiss pension funds, conducted by WWF in 2019, demonstrates the progress of the Migros Pension Fund (MPF) in comparison with the 2016 rating. The MPF was awarded a better rating in four of six areas and overall. It is placed in the second-best of five levels, and is also recognised as a pioneer in sustainable capital investment and in the selection and assessment of external asset managers.
Responsible travel
In 2019, Hotelplan Suisse offered over 417 hotels certified by the Travelife label.
Responsible travel
In 2019, Hotelplan Suisse offered over 417 hotels certified by the Travelife label. The sustainable label checks and evaluates the environmental and social standards of hotels around the world based on more than 150 specific criteria. Hotelplan Suisse also launched the catalogue "Bahn frei für schöne Ferien", containing 82 offers with travel exclusively by train.
