Lidl reduces plastic use in Germany by at least 20 percent by 2025

Lidl Germany was the first discounter to wipe out the standard plastic bag in 2017. Now further concrete goals follow: By 2025, plastic consumption at Lidl in Germany is to be reduced by at least 20 percent.

The company intends to achieve this goal with measures for own brand product packaging and outer packaging, which make up around 70 percent of the entire product range.

At the same time, Lidl announces that it will ensure 100 percent recyclability of all its own plastic packaging for its own brands by 2025, thereby supporting the European plastics strategy recently presented by the European Commission.

Avoid packaging - reduce plastic content

For years, Lidl has relied on the gradual avoidance and reduction of packaging materials while at the same time improving recycling possibilities. With the now announced step of reducing the use of plastic in its own brand by 20 percent by 2025, Lidl is continuing along this path.

Jan Bock, Purchasing Manager at Lidl Germany:
 

"For some time now, in close consultation with our suppliers, we have been analyzing where we do not use plastic or where we can resort to alternative packaging options.”

“Lidl Germany has also been offering a large number of unpackaged, loose items in fruit and vegetables for many years. But we are also optimizing packaging concepts in other categories.

For example, the film thickness of the "Grafschafter" toast bread packaging has recently been reduced by 25 percent and the packaging sizes of "Alesto" cashew nuts have been reduced by around 20 percent per pack.

Thus Lidl follows the increasing consumer desire for more sustainability in terms of packaging, as confirmed by a recent survey by the consulting firm PwC. Around 95 percent of the respondents were in favor of reducing the amount of packaging material.

Increase recyclability - Expand the circular economy across the board

Lidl is committed to install recycling processes across the country and throughout Germany in its approximately 3,200 branches and 39 logistics centers. For this purpose, the company has already created its own recycling cycle for PET bottles of the "Saskia" and "Freeway" private labels, which currently ensures a recycled content of more than 60 percent in each bottle.

Steps to reuse, for example, film material from logistics warehouses have also been implemented.

Jan Bock:
 

"The recycled content of plastic and films in our branches and logistics centers is already 100 percent."

Together strong: Lidl relies on partnerships

Lidl's activities focus on working closely with specialist organizations and companies. For example, the Green Cycle - like Lidl, a company in the Schwarz Group - already plays an important role in the collection and recycling of plastic from the branches.

Jan Bock:

"The plastic issue can only be effectively addressed if we work together in the network and all partners involved bring their individual strengths in. As Lidl, we can draw on innovative approaches from our national organizations throughout Europe as well as cooperation with partners from the corporate group."