Lidl Ireland Launch the First Island-Wide Supermarket Circular Economy Strategy
Retailer Set to Fuel Logistics Chain Using Food Waste from Store Network, Reducing Emissions per Bio-fuel Truck by Up to 93%
Headquartered in Tallaght, Co. Dublin, Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland is set to become the first large nationwide supermarket to establish a circular economy strategy, helping to fuel its logistics chain using food waste from its 209 stores on the island.
In the Republic, Lidl, who were recently named the Most Reputable Supermarket in Ireland are building on their longstanding partnership with Trim-based Food Surplus Management (FSM), who will collect the retailer’s food waste and customer’s recycling deposits directly from their stores and 3 regional distribution centres across the region. The food waste will then be converted to renewable bio-methane and used to fuel the fleet responsible for collecting such waste from Lidl’s stores and regional distribution centres across the country, reducing carbon emission per truck by up to 93%.
In addition, FSM will collect soft and rigid plastics from the retailer’s stores including customer’s deposits and recycle them to make items such as garden furniture, pallets, and flower pots, closing the loop for a more sustainable future.
Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, welcomed the announcement:
“Achieving a circular economy, where goods and materials are retained and reused for as long as possible, is essential for Ireland to meet its Climate ambition and to prevent wider environmental damage. This is why my department has committed to work in partnership with industry, retailers, and consumers through the Waste Action Plan to promote a more sustainable and responsible system.
Today’s announcement by Lidl is a wonderful example of the contribution which the retail sector can make toward achieving the circular economy in Ireland. It creatively addresses two of the largest global environmental challenges, food waste and plastic pollution, both of which have very significant climate impacts. I congratulate Lidl for continuing to show leadership in relation to the environment and sustainability and look forward to more companies following in their footsteps.”
J.P. Scally, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland said:
“We are pleased to be the first large nationwide supermarket to launch a circular economy strategy across the island that underlines our commitment to developing sustainable and innovative solutions that will have a tangible impact in every area of our business. From being the largest owner of solar panelling in the country to using renewable electricity to power our stores, at Lidl, it is our priority to continue to advance our thinking, and challenge ourselves as a business to develop new ways of making our operations the most sustainable in the country.
“In addition, we are pleased to work with long-standing local supplier, Food Surplus Management, in developing this first-to-market approach, and to be the first large supermarket retailer to successfully integrate a waste-to-energy sustainable transport model.
Niall Lord, Chief Executive Officer of Food Surplus Management said:
“We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Lidl Ireland and to assist in providing sustainable and innovative solutions in food waste and packaging. Food Surplus Management is particularly excited about our innovation in the recycling of food packaging plastics and other previously unrecycled hard plastics which offers a more sustainable waste management service to retailers. Lidl’s continued support and input into creating a circular economy is of benefit to all businesses. We look forward to partnering with Lidl to develop new and innovative solutions in the area of food waste management and plastics recycling. ”