With waste being increasingly recognised as a serious issue in many cities around the world, SPAR volunteers roll up their sleeves and undertake community clean-ups.

Not properly disposed or recycled waste pose a great threat to the environment,  animals and humans, with decomposing waste impacting both the soil and animal habitats. Furthermore, significant volumes of waste polluting the oceans come from the rivers which flow through cities and other heavily populated areas. It is therefore important to collect trash and prevent it from traveling any further with rivers to the oceans and underground waters.

SPAR retailers are aware of the harmful impact of waste on local communities as seen by recent clean-ups by retailers in Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and Slovenia.

Community clean-ups in Northern Ireland

SPAR and EUROSPAR retailers from across Northern Ireland have been filling bags of rubbish to clean up their local community. Henderson Group, the SPAR UK partner in Northern Ireland, supplied stores with bags, pickers, high-visibility vests, gloves, and instore signage to increase awareness and encourage shoppers around the store.

To date, Northern Ireland store teams have collected up to 1,626 bags of rubbish. In the Northern Coast area, eight store teams have collected over 100 bags. In Lisburn, three SPAR and EUROSPAR retailers have picked up 83 bags. 18 store teams from Whiteabbey through Mallusk to Ballyclare, out to Larne and from Carrickfergus back along the Loughshore, collected 438 bags.

SPAR UK is proud to serve the local community in which stores operate. This initiative will hope to encourage a change of behaviour when it comes to disposing of waste, particularly from purchases made at SPAR stores.

SPAR Slovenia supports cleaning Slovenian waters

Since 2017, SPAR Slovenia has been actively involved in supporting the cleaning of Slovenian waters in collaboration with the Slovenian Diving Association (SPZ). This year’s cleaning initiatives included the cleaning of Lake Bled. In May, over 200 participants gathered to clean the lake and its shores, removing nearly half a tonne of waste. In March, SPAR Slovenia supported the annual clean-up initiative of the Ljubljanica River and its embankments. Working in cooperation with several diving associations and the Ljubljana City Government, a total of 1,000 kg of waste was removed from the river.

SPAR Zimbabwe proceeds with monthly clean-ups

As a retailer with roots embedded in the local community, SPAR Zimbabwe organises monthly clean-ups every first Friday of the month. SPAR stores around the country mobilise community members to participate in this monthly cleaning initiative. The aim of SPAR Zimbabwe for 2023 is to collect 15,000 tonnes of litter from local communities, up 50% from last year. As of the end of July 2023, SPAR Zimbabwe’s stores reported 3,049 tonnes had been cleaned up by participating stores.

Sources: SPAR NI, SPAR Slovenia, SPAR Zimbabwe

Read more about SPAR’s responsible retailing strategy.