As part of its "Today for Tomorrow" initiative, HOFER is committed to more sustainability throughout its entire sphere of activity. That is why sustainability is not only a top priority for the products, but also for the packaging. Currently only 25% of plastics are recycled in Austria, due to the EU recycling targets an increase to 55% by 2030 is required. (2) The reasons for this low rate are the often poorly recyclable packaging and a lack of possible uses for the recycling material. The use of primary material, which is then often not recycled, leads to a massive consumption of resources such as crude oil. However, packaging fulfills numerous tasks. Probably the most important is the protection of products, because without packaging, food in particular spoils very quickly, becomes unsuitable for consumption and thus ends up directly in the bin. Studies show that the ecological footprint of packaging plays only a minor role when compared to the wasted use of resources and energy caused by the loss of food.
Annual savings of 3,300 tons of primary plastic
HOFER has now taken an important step in 2022: From now on, all beverage bottles from HOFER's own range are made of 100% rPET, with the exception of smoothies, chilled juices and alcoholic beverages. This measure can replace 3,300 tons of primary plastic annually. The bottles are also very easy to recycle, making them a prime example of recyclable packaging and making a significant contribution to resource conservation. So that HOFER customers can tell whether packaging contains recycled material, bottles with recycled material are marked with the packaging mission logo.
HOFER promotes the expansion of the circular economy in Austria
Since particularly large amounts of packaging waste are produced in the food retail sector, HOFER has made it its goal with the packaging mission to counteract the conflict areas described with a holistic approach. According to the motto “Avoid. reuse. Recycle.” HOFER wants to reduce packaging material and make it more sustainable and thus make a contribution to protecting the environment. With numerous well thought-out and continuous measures, HOFER assumes ecological responsibility, because this is the only way to achieve long-term success. For example, the goal was set to use an average of 30% recycled material in private label plastic packaging by 2025. With this self-commitment, HOFER promotes the important expansion of the circular economy in Austria and supports the plans which the EU Commission presented with the circular economy package. The topic of packaging is very diverse and different interests and conflicting goals have to be taken into account. Another important aspect towards the circular economy is recyclable packaging. These are absolutely necessary in order to increase the recycling rates of packaging in the future. That is why HOFER has set itself the ambitious goal of making 100% of the packaging in the standard range recyclable by the end of 2022. to increase the recycling rates of packaging in the future. That is why HOFER has set itself the ambitious goal of making 100% of the packaging in the standard range recyclable by the end of 2022. to increase the recycling rates of packaging in the future. That is why HOFER has set itself the ambitious goal of making 100% of the packaging in the standard range recyclable by the end of 2022.
About "Today for Tomorrow"
Under the motto "Today for tomorrow", HOFER is continuing its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. This includes existing conversion and optimization processes as well as focus topics that are characterized by the active involvement of customers and employees. HOFER wants to work together to make the world better bit by bit - TODAY for a better TOMORROW. In terms of content, the focus topics are concentrated on the supply chain, society, environment and climate protection, customers and employees. The content of the sustainability initiative "Today for Tomorrow" is supported by a stakeholder advisory board consisting of external experts from the social, environmental and media sectors.
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(1) Excluding smoothies, chilled juices and alcoholic beverages.
(2) Source: https://www.ara.at/uploads/Bilder/Presse/Graphics
(Photo credit: HOFER)
