METRO extends targets for sustainable own brand packaging
23 January 2024
At the end of last year, the EU Council of Ministers paved the way for the further development of the new European packaging legislation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The aim of the PPWR is to significantly reduce the negative environmental impact of packaging in the European Union. This will be achieved by reducing the overall consumption of resources and packaging waste and by promoting a circular economy.
As international wholesaler, METRO is aware of its responsibility for environmental and climate protection and is proactively committed to complying with European legislation. To this end, METRO has once again transparently presented its progress in reducing plastic in its own brand packaging for financial year 2022/23 and at the same time expanded and concretised its commitments until financial year 2029/30. The aim is to use resources as efficiently as possible and to eliminate negative environmental impacts as far as possible.
Our cooperation with our suppliers focuses on initiatives in the area of FSC or PEFC certification, i.e. the sustainable management of wood as a raw material. Looking back, METRO was particularly successful in reducing the amount of plastic used in its own brand packaging. The plastic packaging savings were almost doubled compared to the target defined in 2018. More than 3,800 tonnes have already been saved by using recycled or renewable raw materials, reducing the size and thickness of packaging and eliminating unnecessary packaging.
The extended packaging targets that METRO has set itself for 30 September 2030 include:
- Further reduction of plastics: METRO aims to reduce 10,000 tonnes of plastic in the plastic packaging of its own brands.
- Increase the amount of recycled material: The goal is to achieve 30% recycled plastic in own brand packaging.
- Elimination of substances of concern: Commitment to eliminate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) from all levels of Own Brand packaging.
- Packaging recyclability: 100% of private label packaging should be recyclable, reusable or compostable at home.
- Sustainable paper, cardboard and wood: Use certified materials (Forest Stewardship Council, FSC®; Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes, PEFC) or a minimum of 70% recycled content for all paper, cardboard, cartons and wood in own brand packaging.
You can find the complete Packaging and Plastic Report here: