Spar Ireland is set to introduce new compostable coffee cups as part of its efforts to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable solutions.
Image: Spar Ireland to introduce new compostable and fully biodegradable coffee cups. Photo: courtesy of SPAR International.
BWG Group, owners and operators of Spar brand in Ireland, has collaborated with its exclusive premium coffee partners Insomnia Bewley’s and Seattle’s Best Coffee to introduce compostable and fully biodegradable coffee cups in all Spar and Eurospar supermarkets.
The decision will help Spar to eliminate 19 million coffee cups entering landfill each year.
The sustainable coffee cups, which are certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Board, have been developed from raw materials and plant sources.
BWG is also promoting other environmentally friendly initiatives such as reusable KeepCups and branded Bags for Life, in addition to launching new cups.
The firm is also planning to introduce other sustainable packaging solutions such as compostable food containers, cutlery and drinking straws.
BWG Group chief executive Leo Crawford said: “BWG is the nation’s biggest seller of premium coffee to-go and with consumption levels continuing to rise, we recognise the importance of providing sustainable packaging solutions which meet the wants of consumers and are good for the environment.
“We are pleased to have the support of our three exclusive coffee partners and to be able to source the solutions via Irish packaging companies.”
Earlier this month, Spar South Africa has introduced a new campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags at its stores in Western Cape and Namibia.
The campaign, follows its Eastern Cape division’s campaign launched earlier this year, is aimed at helping in reducing the use of plastic bags at checkout counters.
SPAR said that the move is a part of the investments made over the last four years to reduce the use of plastic bags.
Established in 1963, Spar Ireland operates three of the four Spar formats, including Spar, Eurospar and Spar Express.
Spar is an international group of independently owned and operated retailers and wholesalers who work together in partnership under the Spar brand.