Sonae is part of the Portuguese Plastics Pact, an initiative that aims to promote the circular economy of plastics in Portugal, preventing them from becoming waste.
“ Sustainability is one of Sonae's core values, and we are committed to actively contributing to solving the most pressing environmental and social challenges of our time. The proliferation of single-use plastics and ineffective recycling policies contribute to a huge environmental challenge. Therefore, promoting the responsible use of plastics is one of our priority areas of action. It is urgent to develop broad initiatives that promote more sustainable production, logistics, and consumption processes. The Portuguese Plastics Pact plays an important role in this process of stimulating a circular economy for plastics ,” says Isabel Barros, president of the Sonae Companies' Advisory Group.
This pact reflects the commitment of Sonae companies, and at the beginning of 2019, Sonae MC became the first Portuguese retailer to subscribe to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, a pact that anticipates by five years the European ambition to make 100% of packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable.
At Sonae MC, incorporating 80% recycled material into reusable bags has avoided the use of approximately 1,3 tons of virgin plastic. Specifically for Worten, this measure will allow for savings of around 120 tons of virgin material. Salsa and Zippy have already replaced plastic bags and envelopes in their stores with bags and envelopes made of certified recycled paper. MO has also begun this transition, having also included reusable bags made of natural fibers in its stores.
However, Continente has developed a line of 100% recycled garbage bags, incorporating plastic from its store and warehouse operations, which will allow it to save an additional 740 tons of virgin plastic per year.
In the area of packaging, Continente continues to develop and transform its own-brand packaging to ensure that it is fully recyclable. For example, the change in the labeling of liquid yogurts allowed the replacement of 50 tons of PVC (non-recyclable plastic) with PET (recyclable plastic), in a category that represents approximately 48 million yogurt bottles per year. Meanwhile, the review of packaging procedures at Sonae Fashion resulted in an 11% reduction in the amount of plastic material used in 2019.
Among the initiatives to combat single-use plastics is also the inauguration of the country's first fruit and vegetable market with a "single-use-plastic-free" policy, implemented by Sonae MC at the end of 2019. In this pilot project, there are no plastic bags or food packaged in plastic, with a strong incentive for customers to bring their own bags. Sonae MC has even launched a range of cotton and polyester bags, which are an alternative to single-use plastic bags and are more resistant, washable, reusable, and can hold up to eight kilograms of fruit and vegetables.
The Portuguese Plastics Pact foresees, later this year, the creation of a list of single-use plastics considered problematic or unnecessary and the definition of measures for their elimination. Promoted by Smart Waste Portugal in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the pact aims to ensure that 100% of plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
Recycling is a constant concern in the pact, with a target set for at least 70% of plastic packaging to be effectively recycled, making it necessary to increase collection and recycling. The aim is to incorporate, on average, 30% recycled plastic into new plastic packaging.
The pact also foresees the promotion of education, namely the promotion of awareness and education activities for current and future consumers on the circular use of plastics.
