Sustainability News in Retail
Completely Retail Marketplace looks at the latest Sustainability News from the world of retail.
Consumers are consciously choosing to buy from brands that commit to sustainability. Nowadays, going green is about more than just using LED lights in your stores or asking customers to recycle their shopping bags. Sustainability allows brands to better connect with their customers and do their bit for the planet. Retailers are increasing their efforts by reengineering their stores and finding creative new ways to help the planet.
Read the below Snapshot blog post to gain further insight into the latest sustainability news in retail.
H Beauty Stores Nationwide Introduce Harrods' Beauty Recycling Initiative
Harrods has expanded its in-store cosmetics recycling program to all H Beauty stores, following a successful trial at the Milton Keynes branch last year. In collaboration with recycling specialist MyGroup, the initiative is now active in H Beauty locations in Bristol, Edinburgh, Lakeside, and Gateshead.
Customers can bring used beauty, fragrance, and skincare products to the store for recycling and receive rewards through Harrods' MyBeauty scheme. Specially designed bins near the registers allow beauty members to earn up to 500 bonus reward points for returning five or more eligible used items.
The items deposited through the H Beauty scheme will be collected and recycled at MyGroup's facility in Hull, where the company recovers and recycles both packaging and inner cosmetic products. Harrods' Director of Beauty Buying, Mia Collins, emphasised the significance of expanding the recycling scheme, highlighting the commitment to sustainable practices for both Harrods and H Beauty.
M&S removes all plastic from Toasties and Sandwich range
M&S has transitioned from plastic to recyclable paper packaging for its range of sandwiches and toasties in all UK cafes. This initiative is projected to eliminate over 4 million units of plastic, aligning with M&S' Plan A goal to remove 1 billion units of plastic packaging by 2027, as part of its journey toward net zero by 2040.
Lucinda Langton, M&S Food Head of Sustainability, stated, "With a fresh 2024 menu, we seized the opportunity to innovate in our packaging, reducing unnecessary plastic to minimize our environmental impact."
The sandwiches now feature easily recyclable FSC-approved cardboard or paper packaging, reducing plastic usage by 79%, without compromising quality or customer choices. The inclusion of a small window allows customers to view the product inside, and this packaging is accepted by recyclers for recycling in the paper waste stream.
Pandora's Transition to Recycled Metals Expected to Prevent 58,000 Tons of CO2 Annually
Pandora, the jewellery brand, has revamped its precious metal sourcing strategy by exclusively using recycled silver and gold for all its jewellery. Opting for recycled metals significantly reduces the carbon footprint, with recycled silver emitting one-third of the carbon compared to mined silver and recycled gold contributing less than 1% of the carbon emissions from new gold mining.
This transition is anticipated to prevent 58,000 tons of CO2 annually once Pandora begins crafting all new jewelry with 100% recycled silver and gold from the second half of 2024. In 2023, 97% of the silver and gold used in the brand's jewelry was sourced from recycled materials.
Pandora's CEO, Alexander Lacik, emphasised the enduring quality of recycled precious metals, stating, "Silver mined centuries ago remains as good as new, and enhanced recycling can significantly diminish the climate footprint of the jewellery industry."
Tony’s Chocolonely Reduces Carbon Footprint and Achieves Record Sales Growth
In the latest sustainability report spanning from 2022 to 2023, Tony’s Chocolonely revealed a remarkable £23.9 million (€28 million) surge in revenue, reaching £128 million (€150 million), alongside a noteworthy reduction in carbon emissions.
The report highlights an 87% decrease in emissions in Ghana and a substantial 95% decrease in Côte d’Ivoire, outperforming other cocoa sold in the same region.
The company's commitment to a deforestation-free supply chain, validated by thorough satellite mapping and deforestation assessments, plays a pivotal role in these emission reductions.
Tony’s Chocolonely has undertaken a comprehensive approach by aligning with the maximum scope 1 and 2 science-based emission reduction target, requiring a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Notably, the Dutch chocolatier has significantly enhanced the income of farmers in Côte d’Ivoire, achieving a remarkable 51% increase. This positive impact is attributed to both Tony’s Chocolonely and its Mission Allies, who source cocoa through Tony’s Open Chain, adhering to the Living Income Reference Price (LIRP).
The LIRP, surpassing the national farmgate and Fairtrade prices, has contributed to a 20% rise in the number of farmers benefiting from living income cocoa prices compared to the previous year, currently totaling 17,740.
Tony’s Chocolonely chief executive Douglas Lamont said: “As an impact-led company that wants to drive change across the whole industry, we must prove that ending the exploitation of West African farming families can come in parallel with good returns for shareholders, impactful careers for employees and care for our planet.”
Coca-Cola Initiates a Trial Removing Labels from Sprite Bottles in a New 'Label-Less' Experiment
Coca-Cola is embarking on a trial involving the removal of labels from on-the-go Sprite and Sprite Zero products, introducing a "label-less" packaging concept.
In this limited pilot, the labels on single 500ml Sprite and Sprite Zero bottles will be temporarily replaced with an embossed logo on the front, while laser-engraved product and nutritional information will be featured on the back of the pack.
Although the current labels are fully recyclable, this initiative eliminates the need to separate them from the bottles during recycling, contributing to a reduction in overall packaging material. Dusan Stojankic, VP Franchise Operations at Coca-Cola Great Britain, emphasized the company's commitment to exploring innovative ways to share information while reducing packaging.
The trial, available at eight Tesco Express stores in Brighton and Hove, Bristol, London, and Manchester from January to March, invites shoppers to experience this novel label-less design.
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