Discount Retail Chain Lidl Netherlands is introducing new sustainable shopping baskets in all Lidl stores. The baskets are made of plastic packaging, including Lidl products, which households offer for recycling. The collected plastic is processed by PreZero, the waste and recycling company that, like Lidl, is part of the Schwarz Group, and then turns it into shopping baskets.
In future, hand-held baskets will be made from 75% recycled material, roller baskets from 80% recycled material and XXL roller baskets from 87% recycled material. Shopping baskets already in circulation are being replaced gradually so that baskets that are still in good condition are used for as long as possible. This measure minimizes resource consumption.
With the introduction of these baskets, Lidl Netherlands saves more than 36,000 kg of new plastic every year. In Europe, this even results in annual savings of 390,000 kg of virgin plastic and 698,000 kg of CO2 for Lidl, which is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of about 1,400 round-trip flights between Amsterdam and Barcelona.
All new Lidl stores will be equipped with the sustainable shopping baskets. Existing shopping baskets will be replaced by the upcycled variant as soon as they need to be replaced. In terms of appearance, nothing changes to the baskets.
The recycled material used is post-consumer recycled material. It is produced from used packaging that is disposed of in the recycling waste of private households, primarily in Germany. The plastic waste is collected, cleaned and processed to produce regranulate by the environmental division PreZero. The process creates new, high-quality products that are also more environmentally-friendly. The entire recycling and manufacturing process is realized in Europe and is particularly sustainable thanks to the short transport routes involved. Coordination between PreZero and the retail divisions is the responsibility of Schwarz Beschaffung. This is the central procurement service provider for the companies of Schwarz Group all around the world.
Even more recycled material used for store construction: Crash rails and roof sheeting
In addition to the new shopping baskets, crash rails made from 99% recycled material are being used to protect the walls of Lidl and Kaufland stores from strong impacts from shopping carts. By switching to the recycled crash rails from the environmental division PreZero, the retail divisions were able to save 409.70 tons of new plastic and 725.17 tons of CO₂ equivalents across all countries in 2023.
In addition, Lidl and Kaufland use recycled plastic film on the roofs of their stores. For this purpose, waste film from Lidl stores and logistics centers is collected, processed at a recycling plant and then made into roof sheeting. The sheeting is used in all Lidl and Kaufland countries to make buildings leak-tight. The new roof sheeting is made from 60% recycled material. As a result of this changeover, the retail divisions were able to save 153.95 tons of new plastic and 255.56 tons of CO₂ equivalents in 2023.
Joint "REset Plastic" strategy with focus on conserving resources
Using raw materials conscientiously, protecting valuable resources and actively combating climate change, these are some of the things that drive all companies of Schwarz Group. The "REset Plastic" strategy, jointly developed by the companies of Schwarz Group, sets out measures to reduce the use of plastic and activities to promote the circular economy. Throughout the Group, the use of new plastics is being reduced, a switch to recycled material is being implemented and every effort is being made to ensure top recyclability. For the companies of Schwarz Group, today's waste is tomorrow's recyclable material. This strategy contributes to active climate protection and conserving resources.
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