Lidl has shared key updates on its sustainability progress, including reducing food waste by almost half (43%) since 2016, in its latest “Good Food” report.
The supermarket’s success at reducing food waste means that it is on track to hit its 50% reduction target by 2030.
In addition, it will provide more meals to charities, including over 6 million in 2022, building on progress which saw the retailer prevent nearly 9,000 tonnes of food waste via 1.7 million sales of its “Too Good To Waste” boxes.
Overall, the supermarket cut the amount of plastic packaging across its own brand ranges by 29% since 2017, and aims to achieve a 40% reduction by 2025; the retailer also said its partnership with Prevented Ocean Plastic has helped it stop the equivalent of 15 million plastic bottles from entering the ocean.
Around 95% of the supermarket’s own-brand packaging is recyclable, reusable, renewable or refillable.
In addition, the retailer is working to ensure, that suppliers, amounting to 75% of its product-related emissions have SBTi (SBTi)-aligned targets, as it aims to tackle its scope 3 emissions; in total around 90% of the retailer’s carbon emissions come from its suppliers.
Other moves by Lidl include a greater focus on welfare and nature, with the supermarket having recently announced a partnership with Kipster to provide high welfare and reduced emission eggs.
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As of February 45% of the retailer’s British fruit and veg ranges are LEAF Marque certified, being measured on having strong water and nature conservations in place; the retailer aims to have 100% of its ranges certified by the end of the year.
Lidl GB senior CSR manager Mark Newbold said: “At Lidl, we strive to work in a way that benefits our people, our producers, and the planet. This means finding new, more sustainable ways to deliver on quality and value for shoppers. Little changes make a big difference – and we know they matter to our customers”.
He continued: “From making more of our packaging recyclable and incorporating circularity into how we operate, to increasing the amount of food we donate to our charity partners – we’re proud to have made such positive strides and we’re doubling down in order to meet the ambitious goals we have set.”
