In July, SPAR Slovenia is taking part in International Plastic-Free Month. As part of its “What Circulates, Connects Us” campaign, the retailer is highlighting ways for customers to shop more sustainably. These include using reusable containers and avoiding plastic bags at service counters across all stores.

Recent Eurostat data shows that the use of lightweight plastic carrier bags in the EU has continued to decline in recent years. In 2023, the average EU resident used 65 lightweight plastic carrier bags. This was around 3% fewer than in 2022 and 30 fewer than in 2018, when the average stood at 95 bags per resident.*

SPAR Slovenia’s plastic reduction initiatives

SPAR Slovenia became the first retailer in Slovenia to completely remove single-use plastic bags from its produce section at the beginning of 2024. In the first year after the change, the use of biodegradable bags was one-third lower than the previous use of plastic bags. In the second year following the phase-out, the use of biodegradable bags decreased by a further 10%.

Today, SPAR Slovenia’s produce sections offer only reusable mesh bags and biodegradable bags, both available for purchase. Customers can also buy reusable shopping bags with a special pocket for storing SPAR mesh bags for fruit and vegetables.

Making sustainable shopping easier

In 2024, SPAR Slovenia worked with Ecologists Without Borders to develop the SPAR Guide to Sustainable Shopping. The guide provides useful information on how customers can shop more sustainably at SPAR.

Through the “What Circulates, Connects Us” campaign, SPAR Slovenia encourages customers to bring their own containers to service counters, including the meat, fish, deli and hot food counters, as well as to INTERSPAR restaurants. Customers can also buy between 12 and 39 different types of bulk food in 11 INTERSPAR stores and one SPAR store. SPAR is also continuing to expand its organic product range. More than 67% of fruit and vegetables instore are sold without packaging.

“At SPAR Slovenia, we encourage customers to adopt sustainable shopping habits all year round, not just in July. We offer solutions that make responsible choices simple. As part of the “What Circulates, Connects Us” campaign, we invite customers to bring their own containers and bags when visiting our stores. We believe that small steps like these can help create positive change for the environment,” said Maša Šprajcar-Rančić, Head of Sustainable Development at SPAR Slovenia.

The “What Circulates, Connects Us” campaign encourages sustainable shopping year-round. It raises awareness of reusable containers, promotes the proper disposal of used cooking oil in collection machines, and highlights the benefits of returnable glass containers.

Source: SPAR Slovenia

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About SPAR Slovenia

SPAR Slovenia, operated by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG), was granted a licence by SPAR International to operate the SPAR brand in 1991. SPAR Slovenia has become a key employer in the country, both through its corporate business as well as through licenses being granted to independent retailers to expand the brand’s presence across the country further.