Kesko Oyj : Five innovative methods used by K Group to reduce plastic waste

FIVE INNOVATIVE METHODS USED BY K GROUP TO REDUCE PLASTIC

WASTE

06.02.2018

Plastic causes problems when it ends up in water bodies and elsewhere in the environment. K Group is actively developing completely new types of operational models in order to reduce plastic waste. Read on for five innovative methods that K

Group used to reduce plastic waste in 2017.

1. The cosmetics in K Group's own brands were made microplastic-free

Since 1 January 2018, all cosmetic products in K Group's own brands have been free of environmentally harmful microplastics. All K Group own-brand detergents will also be made microplastic-free in 2018. K Group's product ranges also do not include OXO-degradable plastic bags or small bags, because they turn into micro-particles as they degrade. > Read more (http://www.kesko.fi/en/media/news-and-releases/news/2018/k-group-removed-the-environmentally-harmful-microbeads-from-the-pirkka-cosmetic-products/)

2. The Pirkka ESSI circular bag encourages plastics recycling

The Pirkka ESSI circular bag launched in 2017 is the first Finnish circular economy shopping bag. The bags are manufactured by Amerplast and made of over 90% recycled materials, around half of which is plastic packaging waste collected separately from households. ESSI bags encourage more effective collection and recycling of plastics, allowing discarded plastic packaging to be reused as raw materials for new products. This fits with the model of a circular economy. > Read more (http://www.kesko.fi/en/media/news-and-releases/news/2018/pirkka-essi-circular-bags-have-been-a-successful-step-towards-a-circular-economy/)

3. EcoFishBox significantly reduces the plastic waste from grocery trade

The K-food stores have successfully piloted the wood fibre-based EcoFishBoxes made by Stora Enso. Over 100

The K-food stores have successfully piloted the wood fibre-based EcoFishBoxes made by Stora Enso. Over 100 million styrofoam packages are used to package fish in the Nordic countries every year. Replacing the styrofoam packaging materials with corrugated cardboard reduces carbon dioxide emissions by a minimum of 30% throughout the value chain. > Read more (http://www.kesko.fi/en/media/news-and-releases/news/2017/the-wood-fibre-alternative-to-styrofoam-packaging-in-stores/)

4. K Group's gift cards were made PVC-free

K Group is continuously seeking new replacement material solutions for PVC plastic, which contain chlorine, stabilisers and phthalates that are considered to have significant environmental and health impacts. Since 2017, K Group's gift cards have been made of PVC-free materials. The manufacturing materials for Plussa cards will also be made PVC-free in 2018.

5. Onninen promotes plastics recycling

Loyal customers have been distributed shopping baskets at Finland's Onninen Express stores. The customers are able to take the baskets with them to jobsites and use them during their next visit to the store. In addition, excess cardboard boxes are available to customers and large reusable bags are offered for sale. > Read more (http://www.kesko.fi/en/media/news-and-releases/news/2017/onninen-promotes-recycling-and-reuse-of-plastics-at-its-express-stores/)

K Group participates in the Green Deal agreement made by the Finnish Commerce Federation and the Ministry of the Environment, which aims to reduce the use of plastic bags through voluntary actions. K Group is committed to the EU's target of reducing the number of plastic bags used annually per person to 40 by 2025. Learn more about K Group's plastics policy: Kesko.fi/plasticspolicy (http://www.kesko.fi/en/company/responsibility/how-do-we-manage-responsibility/statements-and-policies/keskos-plastics-policy-statement/).

© K-GROUP 2018