Why is this important?
The linear production model that has been in use so far results in increased use of natural resources and in a higher amount of waste generated that exceeds our planet’s production capacity. Current challenges related to the level and manner of consumption require real efforts on the part of the business community to promote more conscious and responsible consumer choices. Researchers point out that linear management leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Studies show that the amount of resources consumed by humanity exceeds, by 74%, the planet’s regeneration capacity. In the Żabka Group, we support the circular economy model — we optimise the use of raw materials and strive to reuse them by engaging our consumers, franchisees and other business partners in the entire process.
Our contribution
A business model based on immediate consumption poses challenges with regard to the packaging waste management. Adapting business operations to the principles of circular economy requires comprehensive changes and solutions in many areas of our activity, involving not only our Group, but also more broadly, our entire value chain. We also encourage our customers to process raw materials in a circular manner. That is why we are placing, on the packaging of our own brand products, markings specifying where a given part of the packaging should be disposed of – the color of the markings is consistent with the uniform color system used for dividing waste into five different fractions. Franchisees support us through cooperation under the Naturally Together programme, allowing to recycle the collected packaging materials (foil and wastepaper).
What have we done already?
A business model based on immediate consumption poses challenges with regard to the packaging waste management. Adapting business operations to the principles of circular economy requires comprehensive changes and solutions in many areas of our activity, involving not only our Group, but also more broadly, our entire value chain. We also encourage our customers to process raw materials in a circular manner. That is why we are placing, on the packaging of our own brand products, markings specifying where a given part of the packaging should be disposed of – the color of the markings is consistent with the uniform color system used for dividing waste into five different fractions. Franchisees support us through cooperation under the Naturally Together programme, allowing to recycle the collected packaging materials (foil and wastepaper).In 2021, we once again achieved plastic neutrality in own operations. This means that together with customers and business partners, we collected as much plastic as we introduced into the market in own label products and materials used in stores. This objective has been achieved by implementing a number of measures that adapt our business model to the requirements of circular economy. Under the Naturally Together programme, we provided our franchisees with access to a tool allowing them to recycle plastics and waste paper. This enabled us to collect nearly 14,500 tonnes of recycling materials. Our customers are also encouraged to participate in packaging recycling — special containers for plastic bottles are available at nearly fifty stores in Warsaw. The plastic collected is used to create new packaging for the OD NOWA brand bottled water. We are testing EKOmats — machines for collecting beverage packaging and aluminum cans at twenty- five locations in Poznań and Warsaw. The packaging of our own brand beverages (Foodini, Wycisk, OD NOWA) and S! shots is made exclusively of recycled bottles, meaning that their carbon footprint is reduced by 33%. By replacing packaging containing elements that are difficult to recycle with fully recyclable packaging and by designing it in accordance with the Eco-design Policy we have adopted, we managed to achieve a rate of 94% packaging of own brand products that is either recycled or is suitable for recycling.
Selected activities
We joined
the Polish
Plastic Pact
We joined the Polish Plastic Pact
The pact is part of the global Plastics Pact Network operated by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. More than four hundred companies responsible for introducing 20% of packaging to the global markets, institutional stakeholders, non-governmental and industry organisations, as well as scientific centres and investors participate in the initiative globally. The aim of the Polish Plastic Pact is to change the current model of using plastics in packaging materials, to ensure that the principles of circular economy are followed. Members of the Pact shall take effort to increase the recycling rate and, consequently, reduce the carbon footprint. They also commit to initiate consumer awareness projects and contribute to increasing the level of correct segregation of packaging materials. The objectives set by the signatories of the Pact for the period until 2025 reach beyond the legal regulations in force in Poland.
We have implemented
the Circularity
Policy for Plastic
We have implemented the Circularity Policy for Plastic
It allows our business partners to be involved in activities that maximise our impact on ensuring circularity of plastic use throughout the entire value chain. The policy will be implemented gradually, in cooperation with all business partners. It is based on the original green circulation model, which provides guidance on responsible resource management in seven areas: eco-design, resource-conscious creation, sustainable distribution, responsible sales, conscious consumption, efficient collection as well as comprehensive recovery and recycling. We have established a set of clear principles we follow in our endeavors towards circularity, and we are applying accountability rules to the entire process – from design, to ensuring a second life and revitalising the environment.
We have
developed our
Eco-design Policy
We have developed our Eco-design Policy
The Policy serves as a roadmap, presenting clear rules for designing and selecting suitable raw materials for the packaging of own brand products and for materials used in stores. It is based on four principles: loop, reduce, simplify and communicate. We reduce the weights and volumes, as well as promote reusable types of packaging. When designing packaging, we place an emphasis on the choice of materials and the use of recycled products. Components that are preferred in recycling processes are given priority as well. We simplify the form of packaging by ensuring its shape allows the product to be emptied. Using a system of pictograms placed on the packaging, we offer consumers advice on which fraction of waste should it be disposed of to after the contents have been used. In accordance with the Policy, we avoid contrast colours, soot-based pigments and solid, inseparable labels made of materials other than the packaging itself. All these measures make the packaging easier to recycle.
Eliminating
plastic and
foil packaging
Eliminating plastic and foil packaging
We have replaced plastic coffee cup lids and shopping bags with their equivalents made of paper with the FSC certificate. Such an approach ensures that at least one new tree is planted for each that has been felled. The paper used in the manufacture of shopping bags and coffee cup lids decomposes naturally over the course of several weeks. Due to these changes, we have reduced the use of plastic by approximately one thousand tonnes per year. We are developing solutions with our suppliers to reduce the use of foil packaging in our products. Thanks to cooperation with Carlsberg Poland, we introduced to the market six-packs of beer relying on Snap Pack technology. Instead of wrapping cans with foil, they are attached to each with the use of adhesive. This reduces the consumption of foil by as much as 82% compared to standard packaging.
Responsibility Report 2021
