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Sainsburys aims for zero waste to landfill by 2020

By Nick Mann

Sainsburys plans to send zero waste to landfill and reduce its packaging to half of 2005 levels by 2020 as part of a 1 billion 20 by 20 sustainability plan unveiled today (October 12).

Under the plan, the supermarket giant also aims to use anaerobic digestion to treat all store food waste which is not suitable for charitable donation, prevent waste across its business and put all waste to positive use by 2020.

The goals on waste are part of a 1 billion sustainability plan unveiled today by Sainsbury's
The goals on waste are part of a 1 billion sustainability plan unveiled today by Sainsbury’s

This is one of 20 sustainability targets set out in the plan, which covers everything from the way Sainsburys sources its products through to the way it engages with local communities. Specifically, Sainsburys claims achieving the goals on waste and packaging would mean it reduces its carbon emissions by 30%, in absolute terms, compared to 2005.

The waste goal also includes a commitment to provide the most comprehensive recycling facilities for its customers to make it easy for them to recycle, and to collect more waste through its recycling facilities than the waste it generates through its operations.

Further commitments for waste include:

  • Work with colleagues, suppliers and customers to rethink waste, reducing it and designing it out from out business;
  • Continue to develop campaigns to help customers reduce waste such as love you leftovers;
  • Ensure all stores take part in a customer food donation programme.

Packaging

Meanwhile, as part of is packaging reduction goal, Sainsburys aims, by 2020, to ensure that it uses recycled materials or that material is recyclable where possible. It also said it would campaign to make recycling easier for consumers.

At the same time, it said it would continue to take the lead on packaging innovation pointing towards its milk bags as an example of this in practice. And, it also plans to continue to promote the bag for life range, encouraging customers to buy and reuse those instead of single-use bags.

The supermarket also highlighted its part in the voluntary responsibility deals for the grocery sector, Courtauld Commitment phase one and two, noting that it was currently working with the Waste and Resources Action Programme on Courtauld III

Commenting on the targets, Sainsburys chief executive Justin King claimed the 20 by 20 plan represented the most ambitious sustainability targets in the retail industry.

“If we are to meet the sustainability challenges that lie ahead, it is important that companies such as Sainsbury’s invest in the future right now. We do not see this plan as a luxury, it is rather, an essential investment that will ensure we can continue to provide customers with quality food at fair prices, sustainably, he said.

“This represents another step in helping our customers live well for less, following hot on the heels of our re-launch of by Sainsbury’s and Brand Match. The 20 by 20 shows customers that they can indeed have greater quality at lower prices, without compromising on standards or their values.”

In the plan, Sainsburys also highlighted its progress to date on packaging and waste management. In particular, it said it had achieved zero food waste to landfill from its supermarkets and depots, while also noting its recycling initiatives for mobile phones, plastic bags, batteries and light bulbs.

In terms of packaging, it claimed to have cut packaging levels by 12 million kilograms in 2010/11 and to have reduced 11% of packaging from its own brand products in the last two years. It also pointed to work on milk bags, reducing glass in peanut butter jars, Easter Egg packaging, and the On Pack Recycling Label.

Prime Minister

The 20 by 20 plans won praise from the Prime Minister, David Cameron, who welcomed the announcement. It is a great example of the principles of Every Business Commits helping to create jobs and growth whilst also tackling our shared social and environmental challenges, investing in their workforce and in our communities, and build a bigger stronger society.

Delivering the goals on waste will be the responsibility of Sainsburys property director, Neil Sachdev.

Sainsbury’s currently works with a number of companies to manage its waste. These include Biffa, which treats food waste from Biffa stores in the Midlands at its anaerobic digestion facility in Leicestershire (see letsrecycle.com story), and PDM, which also deals with its food waste in other parts of the UK (see letsrecycle.com story), using fluid bed combustion. Meanwhile Biffa also deals with recyclables from some of its stores – although the retailer has not revealed its cardboard and film contractor.

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