Efficient use of resources

In production processes in which we are packaging ourselves, we ensure the use of recyclable or compostable materials and the promotion of a circular economy.

Of the 150 fruit and vegetable products, which Biogros packs in a week:

• 50% are in cellulose film and 20% in cellulose nets
• 14 % are in paper strips and 6 % in paper bags
• 10 % are delivered packaged

Also in the Naturata stores do we act to prevent packaging waste:

Products in reusable glass have a high priority in Biogros and Naturata. Many suppliers have their own deposit and return system for glass bottles and cups, meaning that most beverages, like around 160 items, are part of a glass recycle system. Customers can return empty bottles to the stores and receive a deposit in return. Also around 50 fresh products such as yogurts are available in returnable glass jars.

Biogros not only acts as a logistics and wholesaler company, but it also processes products of its own BIOG brand. Here, too, the topic of packaging plays a central role. Packaging is not always dispensable. Sometimes this is due to production processes, but often also to hygiene or labelling regulations. We prefer plastic-free and compostable packaging material wherever its use makes sense and is possible. We successfully introduced cellulose-based packaging material for packaging fruit and vegetables. It is as proven 100% recyclable and can be disposed in home compost or in the organic waste bin. The raw material comes from wood waste products in certified forestry.

With the in-house development of an innovative reusable cover, the ECOPULL - which is used for the transport of goods to the stores - a further step towards sustainability was taken. Biogros saves almost 3 tonnes of plastic film per year by using the ECOPULL cover in supplying the Naturata stores.

The link between food waste and globalisation with long supply chains is obvious. By buying regional products, costly storage and long transportation - for fresh products also the refrigerating - are avoided. Local products, such as our Luxembourg BIOG dairy products guarantee a short distance between the producers and end consumers.

In addition, the Naturata purchasing philosophy differs from that of most other supermarkets. A surplus of goods – some opinions say up to 20% - even short before closing time is quite a common practice in supermarket, leading to unlimited availability for customers but lots of food waste for us all.

Naturata on the other hand, works with realistic consumer needs to ensure that at the end of the day a minimal of food waste incurred. Fruits, vegetables, bread and other baked products account for the majority of food waste. Therefore, Naturata recently introduced a new ordering system for its baked products to better estimate the daily demand of consumers. Naturata sales strategy is also different, not focusing on pursuing consumers with for example special offers or discounts, therewith stimulating sales. In contrary, our marketing focuses more on providing background information of products and producers in order to stimulate the consumer's appreciation of the product and the people behind the product.

Additionally, a number of products in Naturata receive a “second chance” to avoid disposal. Baked goods from the previous day, as well as fruits and vegetables with bruises or fresh products close to the expiring date receive a sticker. This, as well as a separate placement in the stores, inform customers that those products are available at a reduced price (30% discount).

Further are those fruits and vegetables - still fine but not attractive for customers - given to Cent Buttek or the organisation Food Sharing. This is also the case in Biogros, where overripe products or products that does not meet quality standards are selected out for sale. Those goods are donated or they are offered to our employees. Due to those measures, the total volume of food waste is reduced by around 30%.

The organic waste of Biogros, Cuisine Artisinale and the Naturata stores including bistros and restaurant that is ultimately disposed - around seven tons per month - is converted into electricity in a biogas plant in Flaxweiler.

In-house or externally, we aim at avoiding waste, but there where waste is not avoidable, we act according the principle that also waste is a valuable good that needs to re-enter in appropriate recycling cycles.

IFCO multiway crates are all made of material that ensure the reuse of crates up to 100 times. Thereafter crates can be granulated and for 100% recycled for new crates production. As a partner of the unique "share and reuse" system produced by IFCO, Biogros actively participates in the circular economy. In addition, many suppliers use the system. Thanks to the use of this packaging solution, the overall environmental footprint of our supply chain is reduced.

Biogros is also an active partner of VALORLUX, which manages the collection and recycling system of packaging in Luxembourg. In 2020, our participation allowed us to contribute to a reduction in emissions of over 172,000 kg of CO2 equivalents. Based on the average GHG emissions of Luxembourg cars, this corresponds to a driving distance of more than one million kilometres.

Furthermore, our companies are certified with the Superdreckskescht label.

An example is the refrigeration system for fresh products that produces heat that is recovered for stores’ heating system or for heating water. In this way, many offices in Munsbach are heated due to this system in the neighbouring Naturata store.

For installing this technical equipment in all new and all renovated stores, Naturata received the sustainability award of the Fonds nova naturstroum. The special award was received three times before: in 2007 for the energy concept of the Oikopolis center in Munsbach, in 2011 for the Oikopolis companies and in 2015 for energy-efficiency in the Naturata stores Esch-Belval, Kass-Haff and Meyers-Haff.