Red cards for supermarkets: German discounters and supermarkets fail again at the DUH packaging check

Red cards for supermarkets: German discounters and supermarkets fail again at the DUH packaging check

Third packaging check of the German Environmental Aid in supermarkets: Packaging craze at Aldi, Lidl and Norma continues

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) examined the packaging practices of supermarkets and discounters in Germany in its third packaging check. The result shows that the packaging waste problem in these shops is still alarming and has serious effects on the environment and the climate. Only bioma markets were able to achieve satisfactory results in the study.

In the case of fruit and vegetables, the numbers even worsened compared to the previous year. It is particularly worrying that Aldi Nord offers six percent more packaged fruit and vegetables this year than before. In addition, the supermarkets and discounters are still missing reusable bottles in the beverage shelf. Only Norma achieves a share of only 21 percent. Filling stations for dry foods are also only occasionally available.

In addition, the DUH shows that the reusable rate for drinks in Germany is 70 percent, but neither binding for trading nor is punishment provided for in the event of non -fulfillment. As a result, the reusable offer for supermarkets and discounters is still only 30 percent on average. Only net branded discount had an increase. Also in terms of fresh milk and yoghurt glasses, only Kaufland, Edeka and Rewe offer reusable bottles.

Overall, the organic markets show how better. Bio Company, Alnatura and Denns achieve better results than the classic supermarkets and discounters in all examined product categories. These shops do without unnecessary packaging and are increasingly relying on a multi -way. The DUH emphasizes that the large food retailers urgently have to add to offer as many people as possible.

In order to address the packaging waste problem, the DUH calls for binding legal requirements and measures from the Federal Government. Reference is made to the example of France, which would like to halve the number of one-way plastic bottles by 2030 and has already reduced 25 percent of the plastic packaging waste in fruit and vegetables between 2021 and 2023. The DUH also calls for the Environment Minister Steffi Lemke to introduce binding reusable rates for drinks and to prove uncetical disposable plastic bottles, cans and beverage cartons with a delivery of at least 20 cents.

It is also criticized that the reusable cups and reusable diet boxes for coffee, salad and on cheese and sausage counters are only offered consistently in the bioma markets. Filling stations for dry foods can also only be found on certain Bio Company and Edeka branches.

The DUH packaging check has been carried out for the third time. This time, 48 branches of 12 supermarket, discounter and organic market chains were examined randomly. Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd, Lidl, Netto Marken-Discount, Norma and Penny did poorly. Edeka and Rewe were the only supermarket to receive a yellow card. The organic markets Bio Company, Alnatura and Denns, however, achieved good results.

The DUH emphasizes the need for stricter legal regulations in order to achieve the goal of the EU packaging regulations for avoiding waste in the event of packaging. This is the only way to effectively combat the packaging madness in supermarkets and discounters.

Source: German Environmental Aid (DuH)