Supermarket chains are no longer allowed to block deposit systems
Vienna (OTS) – After the success of the last brakeman tour, during which Lidl committed to deposit, the environmental protection organization GLOBAL 2000 is now calling on other supermarket chains to position themselves as pro-deposit and reusable. The largest supermarket chains Spar, Rewe and Hofer are also among the strongest blocking the deposit system. In a chalk campaign, activists call on Spar not only to take slow steps with their marketing campaign “Save plastic together”, but also to finally implement a holistic resource strategy. “It is time that big supermarket chains like Spar stopped hiding behind empty promises of their marketing campaigns and finally took comprehensive measures against the flood of plastic. This also requires the deposit system with the expansion of reusable systems, ”demands Lena Steger, resource expert at GLOBAL 2000.
With yesterday’s chalk campaign, GLOBAL 2000 activists want to make deposit blockers, supermarkets and consumers aware of the need for a deposit system in Austria. Since the supermarket chain Spar are one of the main blockers of the deposit system, Spar branches in particular were addressed with the campaign. With slogans like “Don’t SAVE the reusable!”, “S like clean environment!” and “Disposable – you better SAVE!” they were asked to finally speak out in favor of a deposit system with reusable quotas and to clear the way for sustainable solutions.
At SPAR, opposites seem to be part of everyday life. Spar would like to create a better image for itself with the advertising message “Save plastic together”. But a look at the shelves shows the actual reality: a sea of plastic packaging. Even if Spar is a pioneer among the big chains when it comes to reusable bottles, this should not hide the fact that the majority of drinks are offered in plastic bottles or other one-way containers. Therefore, these must also be collected correctly in accordance with EU requirements, because 90 percent of plastic bottles must be collected separately by 2029. Everyone knows that we cannot achieve the EU quotas without a deposit system. This was also recently confirmed by the co-operator of one of the few residual waste sorting plants in Austria, Dr. Alfred Egger, in his leading article “‘Fake News’ in waste management”.
For a long-term transformation from the environmentally harmful throwaway trend to sustainable reusable solutions, the right levers must now be used. A one-way deposit system is an awareness-raising measure that ultimately makes it easier for customers to opt for the more resource-saving returnable bottle when everything has to be returned equally. We have a supply economy in which the retail giants control what the food supply looks like and have a significant influence on the choice of packaging. If one wants to promote the reusable range and make it more attractive for the Austrian population, there must be equal opportunities. If there is also a deposit on one-way packaging, returnable bottles are no longer disadvantaged and are much more likely to be accepted.
“So let’s finally turn the saving slogan into reality – Save plastic together – but do it right! A serious strategy for saving plastic needs the expansion of reusable in combination with the introduction of a one-way deposit. In order to give the population a voice, we call on the people in Austria to support our Pfand auf-Petition ”, concluded Steger.
You can find the deposit petition at pfanddrauf.at
HERE see photos of the chalk action.
Inquiries & contact:
Viktoria Auer, press spokeswoman GLOBAL 2000, 0699 14 2000 82, viktoria.auer@global2000.at
Lena Steger, Resource Expert GLOBAL 2000, 0699 14 2000 22, lena.steger@global2000.at
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