REset Resources

Details about REset Resources

Conserving resources and embracing the circular economy: With our jointly developed, comprehensive circular economy strategy, REset Resources, we – the companies of Schwarz Group – have set ourselves ambitious targets related to resource sovereignty and security of supply. 

REset Resources shapes resource management within Schwarz Group across the five action areas – REduce, REuse, REcollect and REcycle – throughout all divisions and countries. 

A particular focus of Reset Resources is on expanding the REset Plastic packaging targets to include not only primary plastic packaging, but also all other types of packaging and packaging materials moving forward. 

The Five Action Areas of REset Resources

REdesign: We design our business models to align with circular economy principles. 

Packaging target: We will make the packaging for our private-label products as recyclable as possible by 2030. 

Detailed information: 

  • The target will be further specified once the exact calculation methodology – as set out in the delegated acts of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) – has been established. 
  • Until the target is further specified, the existing recyclability analysis of plastic primary packaging will continue to be applied. 

REduce: We reduce the use of resources and prevent waste. 

Packaging target: We will reduce virgin material in single-use packaging for our private-label products by 15 percent (absolute) by 2030. 

Detailed information: 

  • Base year: 2023 
  • Calculation method: absolute tonnage minus all creditable materials, divided by the absolute total tonnage of all materials (not revenue-adjusted and subject to inflation). 
  • Scope of application: single-use primary and secondary packaging for private-label products; incoming goods perspective 
  • Creditable: post-consumer recycled material (PCR), silphium and straw paper, bio-based drop-in plastics 
  • Not creditable: other bio-based and biodegradable plastics 

REuse: We focus on reuse. 

Packaging target: By 2027, we will transition to nearly 100% multi-use pallets for our internal picking processes. 

Detailed information: 

  • Scope of application: “Internal” refers to the picking of goods in the regional distribution centers to supply the stores. This excludes overseas transport. Single-use pallets that, due to logistical requirements (oversized dimensions, transport protection), are delivered directly by the supplier to our regional distribution centers and transported to the stores without repacking are excluded. PreZero Polymers is excluded. 
  • Creditable: multi-use pallets made from all materials 
  • Not creditable: single-use pallets made from all materials 

REcollect: We ensure access to recyclable materials. 

Packaging target: By 2030, we will collect and recycle the same quantity of recyclable materials as we put into circulation with our private-label packaging and our household leaflets. 

Detailed information: 

  • Calculation logic: mass balance-based offsetting of collected recyclables against packaging and household leaflets put into circulation 
  • Recyclables collected by PreZero: e.g., plastics, paper, cardboard, carton, aluminum, tin and glass 
  • Recyclables collected by retail divisions: deposit-bearing single-use beverage containers (bottles and cans) 
  • Recyclables collected by the companies of Schwarz Group: quantities of internally collected recyclable material from, for example, sales, logistics, production and administrative locations 
  • Quantity put into circulation by retail divisions: primary packaging for private-label products made from, for example, plastics, paper, cardboard, carton, aluminum, tin and glass 

REcycle: We strengthen sophisticated recovery processes and increase the use recycled materials. 

Packaging targets: 

  1. By 2030, we will use 65 percent recycled material in our private-label packaging. 
  2. By 2030, we will use 30 percent recycled material in the primary plastic packaging for our private-label products. 

Detailed information: 

  • Packaging materials considered: plastics, paper, cardboard, carton, glass, metals (aluminum, tin) 
  • Calculation logic for the total recycled material usage rate (65 percent): average amount of recycled material used relative to the material required for primary and secondary packaging for private-label products 
  • Calculation logic for the plastic recycled material usage rate (30 percent): average amount of recycled plastic used relative to the plastic required for primary packaging for private-label products 

 

In addition to packaging targets, REset Resources places a strong emphasis on avoiding food waste and ensuring the accurate sorting of recyclable materials. 

Therefore, the jointly adopted food waste target remains in place: By the end of 2030, the companies of Schwarz Group will reduce their food waste by 50 percent. 

The jointly adopted “Road to Zero Waste” target also remains in place: By the end of 2025, we will reuse, recycle or recover a significant percentage of the waste generated in the company.