SPAR Austria continues to focus on plastic waste reduction as part of their sustainability initiatives. In 2018, SPAR Austria trialled packing cold cuts, cheese and meat at the service counters into boxes brought to the store by customers. As that trial proved to be successful and was accepted by customers, the initiative will be rolled-out to all SPAR, EUROSPAR and INTERSPAR stores throughout the country.

Customers who want to use as little packaging as possible when shopping can now bring their own boxes to all SPAR Austria’s stores. Special trays ensure that stringent hygiene laws are adhered to and that the boxes brought in by customers do not come into contact with the counter, scales or cutlery. “We tested this system in three Styrian stores and received a lot of positive feedback from customers who consciously shop at service counters to save on packaging. Following the successful test and with the approval of food authorities, this system will be used throughout Austria, “said Hans K. Reisch, SPAR Austria Board member.

Packaging reduction in five steps

Five simple steps are required to pack cold cuts, cheese, meat etc. in customers’ own boxes:

1. Customer puts the clean box open on the provided tray.
2. SPAR service department colleague places the tray with the box on the scale and sets the balance to zero.
3. The box is filled with the desired product without touching the box.
4. The customer is handed the box on the tray over the counter and closes it.
5. Customer puts the label on the box.

This initiative contributes to the SPAR packaging reduction programme, where packaging can be significantly reduced, replaced by alternative materials or made easier to recycle.

Read more on SPAR Austria’s responsible retailing initiatives to reduce plastic usage:

• SPAR Austria launches reusable bags for fruit and vegetables
• SPAR Austria conducts trial on free paper bags for fruit and vegetables
• SPAR Austria introduces reusable shopping bags

Source: SPAR Austria

Read more news from SPAR Austria.

About SPAR Austria

The origins of SPAR in Austria date back to 1954, but the current SPAR AG was created in 1970 when the original founding families joined with other regional wholesalers to form SPAR Austria AG – a 100% privately owned Austrian company.

With licences granted by SPAR International, ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) has developed SPAR in Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, and Northern Italy.