SPAR Slovenia encourages eco-friendly practices as part of its sustainability strategy. In their recent initiative, ‘What Circulates, Connects Us’, they highlight the benefits of using returnable glass packaging and the correct dispensing of it.

Glass recycling and sustainable shopping

Last year, SPAR Slovenia and Ecologists Without Borders launched ‘SPAR’s guide to sustainable shopping’, providing useful information on how customers can shop sustainably at SPAR. This year’s initiative, ‘What Circulates, Connects Us’, highlights the benefits of returnable glass packaging. Glass is an excellent packaging material because it does not affect the quality, taste, or vitamins of food and drinks.**  It is impermeable, non-porous, non-degradable, and 100% recyclable. One bottle can be reused up to 30 times, resulting in 85% fewer emissions compared to single-use glass, 57% fewer emissions compared to a single-use can, and 70% fewer emissions compared to a single-use PET bottle.*

Empowering sustainable choices

Customers can hand over empty returnable bottles and containers, receive a packaging slip, and redeem it in the same store. This promotes the circular economy and contributes to environmental protection. SPAR Slovenia’s commitment to sustainability includes responsible handling of packaging and raising awareness of its importance.

Returnable glass packaging can be collected in all corporate stores except the smallest SPAR city stores and independently owned SPAR stores. Last year, over 2.7 million returnable bottles and 324,000 returnable carriers were collected.

“At SPAR Slovenia, we are constantly introducing environmentally friendly solutions as part of our sustainability strategy. We encourage customers to shop sustainably in our stores and offer sustainable solutions and products. With the initiative ‘What Circulates, Connects Us’, we want customers to be aware that when buying a product in glass packaging, it is also possible to recycle glass after use. Although a single choice may seem small, the multitude of such decisions has a significant impact. By encouraging thoughtful purchases and sustainable choices, we can create positive change in the wider environment,” said SPAR Slovenia’s Head of Sustainable Development, Maša Šprajcar-Rančić.

In addition to raising awareness of the benefits of using returnable glass packaging and drop-off in vending machines, this initiative encourages customers to dispose of waste cooking oil in collection vending machines properly and bring their own packaging.

Sources: SPAR Slovenia
*zwe_reloop_executive-summary_reusable-vs-single-use-packaging_-a-review-of-environmental-impact_en.pdf
**Use is increasing, potential in special glass packaging – EOL 101/102 – Zelena Slovenija

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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 under the brand in 1991. ASPIAG is a subsidiary of SPAR Austria AG. SPAR has become a key employer in the country, both through its corporate businesses as well as through licenses being granted to independent retailers to expand the brand further.