Factsheet for measure
HR-2023-16/3148
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Updated
– measures in Croatia
Kaufland is introducing a new reusable packaging system
Kaufland uvodi novi sustav depozita
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Country
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Croatia
, applies nationwide
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Time period
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Open ended, started on 16 April 2023
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Context
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Green Transition
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Type
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Company practices
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Category
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Reorientation of business activities
– Change of production/Innovation
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Author
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Predrag Bejakovic (Faculty of Economics, Business, and Tourism (FEBT), University of Split) and Eurofound
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Measure added
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12 April 2023 (updated 20 January 2025)
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Background information
The supermarket chain Kaufland was the first retailer in Croatia to stop the sale of lightweight plastic bags. The new rule has taken effect from 1 January 2020. Aiming to reduce plastic in the environment, Kaufland Croatia has decided to completely ban the sale of lightweight plastic bags in all of its stores in Croatia. The company is proud to be the first retail chain in Croatia that decided to do something for a cleaner and healthier environment and ban the sale of plastic bags. In addition to banning plastic bags, simultaneously, Kaufland Croatia has ceased the sale of disposable plastic utensils and cutlery, as well as plastic sticks and straws, and has replaced them with alternative sustainable solutions. Now Kaufland is introducing a new reusable packaging system in its shops.
Content of measure
The goal of the introduction of a new reusable system is to further reduce plastic waste. The company collaborates with the start-up FairCup. The system works as follows: customers can receive products such as appetizers, ground pork or cream cheese in reusable containers at the service counters. A deposit of €1.50 is required for each container, including the lid. After use, the containers can be returned to the packaging return machine. The containers can be reused up to a thousand times. After that, they can be completely recycled. In principle, Kaufland has a vision of "less plastic - a closed circle".
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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23 November 2024
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Retail chain Kaufland develops appropriate measures to reduce packaging waste. As part of the REset Plastic strategy, the company has set the goal of reducing its plastic consumption by at least 20% by 2025 and ensuring that 100% of its packaging is recyclable to the greatest maximum possible extent. The company aims to use an average of 20% recycled material for the production of its own-brand packaging by 2025. Kaufland follows a clear approach: Sustainability must be holistic, ranging from avoiding plastic waste to product design and recycling, all the way to innovation and awareness. Only in this way can plastic waste be reduced, and the vision of meaningfully closing the recycling loop be achieved. With its 'Consciously packaged' logo, Kaufland identifies optimized packaging, such as the K-Classic sunflower oil in a PET bottle, which is made from at least 30% recycled plastic. This makes plastic reduction measures transparent with every purchase. Kaufland constantly checks opportunities to reduce the amount of plastic. The following criteria are relevant for more conscious packaging:
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recycled content or recycling rate of at least 30% for plastics
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recyclability of at least 80%
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material savings of at least 20%; and
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use of alternative materials for at least 30% of the packaging.
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Use of measure
Not available.
Contents
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Does not apply to workers
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Does not apply to businesses
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Applies to all citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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Company / Companies
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Companies
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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No involvement as case not in social partner domain
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No involvement as case not in social partner domain
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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No involvement
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Main level of involvement: Company level
Involvement
Due to the nature of the measure, social partners were not involved but they always support any measure for environment preservation.
Views and reactions
As mentioned, social partners always support any measure for environment preservation.
Sectors and occupations
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This case is sector-specific
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Economic area
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Sector (NACE level 2)
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G - Wholesale And Retail Trade; Repair Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles
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G46 Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles
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This case is not occupation-specific.
Sources
