SPAR Slovenia tackles plastic waste

October 11, 2018 IN THE CATEGORY: Environment, Responsible retailing

  • SPAR Slovenia's "I have my own bag!" campaign

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  • Divers from the Slovenian Diving Association teamed up with SPAR

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  • Ongoing river clean ups organised and funded by SPAR Slovenia

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Our SPAR Partners around the world are working hard to reduce plastic waste through the introduction of various campaigns and instore initiatives. In Slovenia, SPAR recently supported two campaigns aimed at addressing this important environmental issue.

Reducing the use of light plastic bags

In September, SPAR Slovenia launched the instore campaign, ‘I have my own bag!’ This was an educational initiative focused on raising awareness of the impacts of excessive consumption of lightweight plastic bags on the environment. The campaign was introduced by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and has to date been one of the most important plastic waste prevention measures to be implemented in the country.

Reflecting the support for this initiative, SPAR Slovenia advertised the campaign in all stores with posters and leaflets – helping to create awareness around more sustainable consumption and encouraging consumers to re-use their shopping bags as much as possible. A large focus was also placed on educating children about the plastic waste crisis and the damage caused by light plastic bags.

It is hoped that by the end of 2019, annual consumption figures will not exceed 90 light plastic bags per capita and that this will drop to no more than 40 light plastic bags per capita by the end of 2025.

River clean ups with the Slovenian Diving Association

With the aim of educating consumers about plastic waste and the importance of environmental protection, SPAR Slovenia teamed up with the Slovenian Diving Association (SPZ) to launch the “Think ecological” campaign in August 2017. As part of the campaign, SPAR Slovenia sells sustainable shopping bags made of 100% recycled material in stores throughout the country. Proceeds from the sale of the bags go towards funding the clean up of Slovenian rivers.

The clean ups, which began last autumn, first focused on the most polluted rivers in the country, continuing in spring this year with the Ljubljanica and Sava rivers. To increase the capacity of volume removed, SPAR Slovenia invited local communities and environmental groups to join in the clean ups. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive and between autumn 2017 and spring 2018, around two tonnes of garbage was collected.

The river clean ups have continued and last month the Krka River was tackled with the support of professional divers. In spring 2019, SPAR Slovenia will continue this project, with the planned clean up of the Drava and Ljubljanica rivers and Lake Bled.

The initiative has received positive feedback from the Slovenian media and has shown SPAR Slovenia’s commitment to addressing environmental issues.

Source: SPAR Slovenia

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About SPAR Slovenia

SPAR Slovenia, operated by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG), was founded in 1992. ASPIAG is a subsidiary of SPAR Austria AG and was granted the licence to operate the brand in Slovenia by SPAR International. SPAR Slovenia has become a key employer in the country, with a Distribution Centre, bakery and corporate-owned stores providing employment opportunities.

The first SPAR store opened in the capital city, Ljubljana, in 1992. Three store formats are operated in Slovenia: SPAR, SPAR Supermarkets and INTERSPAR Hypermarkets. The brand is one of the most trusted companies in the country with Nielson research placing SPAR first in terms of freshness, quality and range. The SPAR Bakery, which has been continually developed, has played a key role in the overall fresh offer and has received great customer feedback.