Tomatoes in plastic bags, lettuce in bags—and often no reusable produce. The German Environmental Aid Agency gave discounters and supermarkets a bad rating in the “Package Check”.
Shopping in supermarkets or discount stores can quickly generate a lot of packaging waste. However, according to the German Agency for Environmental Aid (DUH), this is not due to consumer decisions. Too many goods are still available in packs and single-use containers, according to the lobbying association. In a “pack inspection”, the association gave nearly all supermarkets and discounters a poor rating – with just three tested organic chains getting a good rating.
Of the five chains surveyed, there were no reusable packaging for milk and yogurt products, and 97 percent at another store, DUH reported. In its first inspection in early 2022, DUH came to the same conclusion. The proportion of packaged fruits and vegetables has a certain downward trend, but only by a few percentage points.
Aldi Nord and Süd and Lidl no reusable packaging
Aldi Nord, Süd and Lidl have been criticized in particular: DUH found no reusable packaging in the milk aisles or drink ranges of the three discounters. In early 2022, things will look the same. The big three discounters have yet to comment on the criticism.
“Our tests showed that there was an unnecessarily high volume of single-use items, excess plastic and waste. Even sturdy standard products such as carrots, apples or peppers were often offered in single-use packaging rather than unpackaged,” said Barbara Metz, DUH Federal Managing Director, of the results. “If we don’t want to further exacerbate the plastic crisis, we need to halve packaging waste by 2027 and impose an additional one-way tax of at least 20 cents on single-use plastic bottles, cans and beverage cartons.”
225.8 kg packaging waste per capita and year
Packaging waste in Germany has been increasing in recent years. According to the Federal Ministry of the Environment, approximately 18.8 million tons of packaging waste were generated in 2020. Ten years ago, the figure was 16 million tons. On a per capita basis, Germany uses 225.8 kilograms of packaging per person.
Paper, cardboard and paperboard account for more than 8.3 million tons of all packaging waste in Germany. In 2020, about 3.22 million tons of plastic waste and more than 3 million tons of glass waste will be generated. This development is particularly notable as aluminum production has grown from 90,600 tonnes in 2010 to almost 140,000 tonnes in 2020.
“The proportion of one- and two-person households and older persons is increasing. Both of these lead to smaller fill sizes and/or the purchase of pre-allocated units, which in turn have an increasing impact on packaging consumption,” the Federal Environment Agency wrote online about the increase in packaging waste. In addition, eating and consumption habits have changed. Fast food, takeaway products and ready-to-eat meals remain popular.
Sustainability is an important selling point for consumers
In its report, DUH argues that product sustainability is an important selling point for many customers. “However, in order to be able to make a decision from an environmental point of view, you need an appropriate offer from the food retail industry,” it said. Although packaging-free stores are increasingly offering shopping options without packaging waste, especially in cities, their market share has so far been rather small.
Industry association HDE has announced that the food industry is already actively working to reduce packaging waste. “For example, all major food retailers have introduced reusable nets in the fruit and vegetable sector to reduce the number of ultralight bags. Reducing the use of own-brand packaging material through thin-walled milk packaging or drink bottles also helps to reduce packaging in circulation,” says Antje Gerstein, HDE European Managing Director Policy and Sustainability. Furthermore, the collection system for one-way beverage packaging with a deposit is also very effective.
The new trend has not reversed Packaging Act
A new packaging law has been in effect since January, under which many restaurants must provide reusable packaging for takeout food. But things didn’t go well: it wasn’t until mid-May that Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke called for stricter controls.
“Restaurant owners are also under a legal obligation to return more items, which the cities and states should control better,” the Green politician told Bild am Sonntag.
Next construction site: food waste
The figures for packaging waste do not include the vast amount of food that also ends up in the trash – in Germany, that’s about 11 million tons a year.
Nearly 60% of waste is generated in private households, which equates to almost 80 kg per person per year.