Against a backdrop of severe tensions over plastic prices and availability, Carrefour has launched an unprecedented initiative that combines the fight against plastic packaging with boosting customers’ purchasing power.
Building on its track record in plastic reduction, with 25,000 tons removed since the launch of Act For Food, Carrefour has made a new commitment to eliminate 5,000 tons of plastic to lower its packaging costs. All of the savings generated by this plastic reduction will be reinvested into price cuts of up to nearly ten percent on products.
High volatility in oil markets and rising eco-contributions linked to packaging prices have driven the price of virgin plastic up by 50 percent, creating a lasting impact on FMCG packaging costs, which are still predominantly plastic-based.
The five actions launched will remove over 5,000 tons of plastic from the packaging of products sold in Carrefour stores. Together, these packaging initiatives represent savings of over five million euros. They target aisles where plastic remains all too common and aim to spark a complete transformation by establishing new market standards:
- Eliminating plastic overpackaging on promotional multipacks by 2028 for Carrefour’s private-label products and by 2030 for national brands, equivalent to 500 tons of plastic.
- A 30 percent reduction in plastic packaging for hygiene and household cleaning products by developing recycled plastic refill formats, with prices 10 percent to 20 percent cheaper; solid-product ranges and large containers. These new packaging formats have the potential to reduce plastic by 2,000 tons.
- Replacing plastic blister packs across the entire toilet paper range with 100 percent paper packaging by 2030, leading to a 1,500-ton reduction in plastic.
- Expanding sales of deposit-return products with highly affordable pricing, averaging five percent cheaper per litre than their non-reusable equivalents, and a selection of over 1,000 products by 2030. With this initiative, Carrefour aims to sell 50 million reusable bottles, cutting another 500 tons of plastic.
- Implementing new packaging combining cardboard boxes and plastic windows for pastries and baked goods sold in the traditional bakery aisle, with an expected reduction of 500 tons of plastic.
More global news here
