Why you should think in cycles in the fight against plastic waste

Why you should think in cycles in the fight against plastic waste

Is plastic one of the most produced substances in the world? Not even a fifth of it is currently recycling. Despite the social efforts and legal regulations, the mountain of plastic waste will continue to grow strongly in the future. The ways to get out of this misery are urgently needed. In this publication of the blog, you can read why you pay; you think about plastic cycles, and as one of the largest retailers in the world is becoming a growth business.

One Analysis by McKinsey according to the world, humanity produces 260 million tons of annual residues of plastics. Only 40 tons (16 per cent) are collected to produce raw materials for new things. Most of the rest contaminates all our spaces of life, more or less without benefit: 40 per cent ends in regular landfills, a fifth in wilderness landfills or at sea. A quarter of waste ends up in incinerators. Although these produce electricity and heat, they also contaminate the air.  

In many Western European countries, due to the numerous more rigorous efforts and legal regulations, the impression can arise that the amount of plastic waste should actually decrease. The facts speak of a different language: McKinsey analysts predict that the global amount of plastic waste could increase by 80% by 2030. Because: if prosperity increases, the amount of garbage also increases.

Plastic waste creates emotions.

Try many ways to face the growing trash mountains. A law approved by the 2018 Council of Ministers in Austria, the most friendly, harmful and difficult to recycle, will be prohibited from 2020. From the year 2021, it is a single plastic along the prohibit. The issue of plastic waste is emotionally accused among the population: when a Billa branch tried to sell peeled and plastic bands wrapped, it led to an international storm in social networks. This is the reason more, and more companies are trying to meet the legal requirements above or are subjected to even more rigorous regulations. For example, the largest Austrian food dealer, Rewe International AG (Billa, Billa, Penny, Merkur, Age), has already removed 2017 disposable bags from their branches and replaced them with reusable paper or carrier bags.

Nearly all consumers want to do without plastic packaging.

Consumers are becoming increasingly nervous about packaging residues. According to a study conducted by management consulting, PWC95 per cent of consumers requires a reduction. 92% of the interrogations also wants to make it considerably without plastic. These clear signs of customers are not previous in the economy: the largest sales group in Europe, the TheBlack Group (over 400,000 employees and an annual turnover of almost 100 billion euros all over the world), announced plastic consumption by 2025 for the reduction of at least one-fifth. And to ensure that plastic packaging for its brands is 100% recyclable. At the end of 2019, the company also wants to eliminate plastic items to use, such as straws, cups and glasses, plates, cutlery and cotton pads with plastic axes.

The 360-degree plastic strategy encompasses all links in the value chain.

To achieve these goals, the Schwarz Group has a 360-degree plastic strategy. It is followed by all the divisions and places of the group. These are next to the commercial and Kaufland company, the Meg of the Beverage Manufacturer, the production companies of the Marchi themselves and to the providers of elimination service and to the green cycle of service providers. With the help of the 360-degree plastic strategy, the group is intended to substantially reduce the use of plastic in all forms, both discount and throughout the range, with its own brands, suppliers and internal processes. Furthermore, you want the recyclability of products and external packaging and transport packaging.

The most severe rules inspire the spirit of innovation. 

For this group, however, the 360-degree plastic strategy is not only a tool to satisfy consumer wishes to obtain greater sustainability and the rigorous legal regulations of the future. Rather, the group sees the recycling industry as an innovation driver, that of the entire Wertsch Ö will face the chain, which covers and in almost all European countries, as emphasized by the company. The group is in a very good location because it is unique: the Schwarz group is the only commercial company in Germany that can close the recycling cycle from a single source.

Own subsidiary takes care of the Group’s waste.

The service provider elimination and recycling of the group plays a key role here, GreenCycle. The roots of the company, founded in 2009, are located in the arrangement of paper and in the LIDL branch cardboard residues. Today, the company with recyclable and energy management, environmental innovations and Logistikl has addressed solutions and are responsible within the Black Group for the collection and recycling of all recyclable materials incurred on the LIDL operation and Kaufland Logistics. Since 2018, GreenCiientcle has also been with the brand repercussions of sales. Green cycle Bundles All services such as consulting, logistics, classification and recycling (RI). Recycling for customers outside the Schwarz group. On the digital platform, customers can be generated for the removal of online offers. GreenCentclice has only purchased a great provider of German waste disposal services in 2018 and wants to grow vigorously in the field of recyclable material management.

Own experience in waste recycling forms the basis for new business.

The activities in the waste disposal sector are adequate to the Schwarz Group’s strategy. This is because the plan is to close the cycles of recyclable material through our food production capabilities and the two retail divisions LIDL and Kaufland. “Waste are our recyclable materials in the wrong place,” says Dietmar B Ö HM, responsible as the General Manager Operations Preer. And since 2018, the Schwarz group has been dedicated to the plastic theme and already wants to make the 360-degree approach to reduce plastic consumption in all sectors of the company, the requirements for the high-quality WertstoftStr or create and closing cycles at ERM Ö draw. With its double system (Pre zero Dual GmbH)That the Schwarz group will accumulate by 2021, the group wants to continue to grow in the waste sector. With “Prezero Dual GmbH”, you could cover the entire chain of waste from the organization of collection in a dual system up to classification and recycling. Background: Double system is a second waste disposal system in addition to public law. Suppliers, such as the Green System System Deutschland GmbH system, organize the recycling of sales containers but do not take themselves. With its dual system, the Schwarz group could only open a new business field for itself but also save costs: LIDL pays only between 70 and 80 million euros for the organization of container waste.

Conclusion: Why you should think in cycles in the fight against plastic waste

Plastic products that can no longer be used as raw materials for new things after the life of their service have expired, caused the mountains of the islands of waste and rubbish grass grinding Significant in recent decades. There are various ways to get out of this dilemma. One that is not associated with any loss of prosperity is the circular economy. All, from the manufacturer to the retailer to the buyer provider and the disposal service, must play the new rules. Change creates fear in some and creativity in others. In the case of the Schwarz group, the wishes of customers and the strictest resulting laws not only have taken a circular to think when they are used in plastic. The obligation is to reduce packaging residues and also increase the recycling rate.

Read our blog on Why production is the key to sustainability