„EINFACH MEHRWEG“ receives ECR Sustainability Excellence Award

The reusable alternative for single-use packaging, "EINFACH MEHRWEG", developed and introduced jointly by REWE, SYKELL and Interzero, has been awarded the "ECR Sustainability Award 2023". The award honours the cross-company cooperation for the exemplary character that the project has for optimising the value chain and increasing customer benefits. The award ceremony took place on Tuesday (12.09.) in a festive setting at the Zoo Gesellschaftshaus in Frankfurt. The organiser of the traditional competition is GS1 Germany, Cologne.

"EINFACH MEHRWEG" is an open, deposit-based return system in which every company with takeaway offerings in the food trade and gastronomy can participate - regardless of its size. The shape and design of the various "EINFACH MEHRWEG” bowls and cups allow for flexible and diverse uses as well as return to the reverse vending machines from one of the more than 5,000 acceptance points - including deposit accounting. With around 3,700 stores in Germany, REWE alone offers all customers a return option in their vicinity, regardless of where the reusable container was borrowed.

And the cleaning of the containers is done by an industrial rinsing system, which guarantees the highest level of hygiene in terms of consumer protection. The handling is extra user-friendly, because no app, no customer account and thus no registration and disclosure of personal data are necessary.

"We are very pleased that the jury was convinced by the 'EINFACH MEHRWEG' system," says Peter Maly, the REWE Group Management Board member responsible for REWE stores. 'EINFACH MEHRWEG' is simple for our customers. The solution is practical for our stores and efficient for all partner companies and logistics. 'EINFACH MEHRWEG' has the potential to set an industry standard. This approach of making our sustainability commitment more effective through a multiplier effect is important to us. Because it is good for the environment and for more reusables in the future." In June, the German Federal Minister for the Environment, Steffi Lemke, awarded 'EINFACH MEHRWEG’ with the German government's "Blue Angel" eco-label.

In the course of its packaging reduction strategy, REWE has introduced the "EINFACH MEHRWEG" containers and beverage cups nationwide. Since the beginning of the year, these have been available for all out-of-home offers that previously only used disposable packaging. These are the chests and counters for salads, antipasti, fresh cut, hot dishes and coffee specialities, but also those for meat, sausage and cheese. In addition, more and more concessionaires in the market are also opting for "EINFACH MEHRWEG".

Source: REWE

Photo: wolterfoto/GS1