SPAR Hungary’s service partner, ARW Magyarország Kft. seeks to achieve good waste collection with this new system which is easily accessible to everyone throughout the country and will enable the efficient collection of households packaging waste. Glass collection bins have been installed in SPAR stores to ensure that the volume of glass waste recycled is increased, supported by environmentally conscious customers. This joint effort has been created to support the stated goal of 60% of total glass waste being recycled.
Cutting-edge optical selection devices produce top-quality glass tile components for glass factories from the materials received, using different selection methods and qualities. Glass tile is produced at lower temperatures than new glass, saving energy and reducing environmental impact through use of quartz sand and limestone in addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
A second initiative, aimed at food waste saw SPAR Hungary and the Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research recently running a food-saving campaign. From 5 to 7 May, shoppers donated long-lasting food products at three Budapest SPAR stores, which were transferred to families living in extreme poverty, with the assistance of the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service (Magyar Máltai Szeretetszolgálat).
The STREFOWA international programme, launched with the support of the European Union, aims to reduce the amount of food waste, in partnership with a number of private sector businesses.
“Our company considers action to mitigate this severe social issue very important. SPAR Hungary was pleased to launch a brand new initiative to reduce food waste among shoppers – the largest producers of waste in the food value chain. In addition to providing information and raising awareness, our objective is to enable our customers to return the packaged food products with a long shelf-life (not requiring cooling) to the designated SPAR stores. Products returned are either no longer needed or are nearing expiry date (but at least 14 days shelf-life remains). Our campaign’s objective is to prevent these food products from becoming waste, reducing the total volume of waste. We are helping customers to handle food products more consciously, and also helping people in need at the same time,” highlighted Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR.
