all of a Sudden it went quickly. Within a few months, the Raschelsäckli have practically disappeared from the shops. Its consumption is not decreased by 86 percent, since they are free. The model does well in school. The retailers will introduce in the coming months, with the same industry scheme for multiple-use plastic bags.

For the environmental organization Greenpeace but this is only the beginning. 95 percent of the Swiss, according to a Greenpeace-commissioned survey is ready, with reusable containers to buy. So you would buy beer in returnable bottles or yogurt in reusable glass jars. Greenpeace criticized, therefore, that in the case of major distributors, such as Migros and Coop returnable systems eke out a niche existence. According to the Greenpeace paper, the proportion of products which are actually sold in reusable containers, still remain marginal in the case of retailers.

Less plastic than target

Philipp Rohrer, Greenpeace for reusable systems, explains the reluctance on the part of retailers due to the high costs that would arise: “It would be a huge change in the super markets, the business is based on the one-way packaging.” By the use of returnable systems could be the plastic consumption low. According to the Federal office for the environment is the Per-capita consumption in Switzerland 125 kilograms per year. Not even 10 percent of them are recycled.

customers Want, so really reusable systems? “Yes, people are willing to use such systems,” says Rohrer. The need to support but with the right incentives and good communication. As soon as something costs to make the customer quickly, even in the case of the Plastiksäckli. Rohrer believes that it is in the case of beverages, or yogurt just might be possible, such systems introduce other products, such as cosmetics, it is sure heavy.

Greenpeace criticised that major distributors such as Migros and Coop reusable systems eke out a niche existence.

Today, only a few products in reusable packaging are available. So about Coop leads the individual types of beer in returnable bottles. All other drinks are only available in non-returnable bottles made of glass, PET or aluminium cans available. “Migros and Coop are reusable packaging is open, the discounters are more likely to be cautious,” said Rohrer.

In the case of Aldi, it takes the position that the part of the dominant basic assumption of “reusable is better than disposable” is too simplistic. “Partially disposable may have better or equivalent to the total LCA as reusable systems,” says a spokesman. Many of the measures in the Background are for the customers not be visible, but would have a big effect. In addition, the amount of packaging on own brands is going to decrease by 2025 to 25 percent. Until then all packages of the standard range of recycling should be capable of. Also until the end of 2019, plastic cotton swabs, and disposable plastic would lists products such as cups, dishes and Cutlery out.

At Lidl Switzerland, the plastic share in packaging should be reduced in the case of own brands by 25 percent, according to a spokeswoman. “To achieve this goal, we have already reduced many of the products and packaging of plastic”. For example, the Lid in the case of all Swiss dairy products had been removed from the cottage cheese over the Crème fraîche and Sour Halbrahm or natural yogurt. A further measure for the plastic reduction, the discontinuation of disposable plastic items by the end of 2019. Until then Lidl will abstain from the sale of disposable plastic items such as drinking straws, disposable cups and glasses, plates, Cutlery and cotton swabs with plastic shafts in prison. In their place, products made from alternative and recycled to be sold materials.

this is how it works: In Bachsermärt filling stations for cereals, salt, vinegar, and Oil in the range. Photo: Georgia Müller

In the case of Coop reusable bags for fruits and vegetables are currently available. In Coop Restaurants and a Coop Take It food with reusable containers taken. Who is drinking the coffee from the reusable mugs, get discount. In addition, customers can bring their own container and the serviced counters, such as cheese or meat, fill.

Similar offers, there are at Migros. There is also a test currently with a pilot project in Geneva, of the open sale of legumes and rice. “We are currently reviewing such pilot projects in the German part of Switzerland,” said a spokesman. In addition, will be assessed, whether the goods stay also enough fresh and how much of it to be lost. “Food to prevent Waste, we because of the cultivation caused the greatest part of the environmental footprint. The packaging only contributes about 2 to 5 percent, this environmental balance sheet,” says the spokesman.

In the Parliament, there are several initiatives pending that are asking for a greater distribution of reusable systems. With the electoral success of the Greens, such initiatives could gain weight.

Created: 05.11.2019, 21:38 PM