Focus on recyclable materials
Schwarz Group: A recycling initiative to process selected recyclable materials from Lidl and Kaufland stores.
In accordance with our publicly available transformation plan, we are gradually expanding the recycling of store waste.
To this end, Schwarz Produktion, Lidl, Kaufland, and the waste management and recycling service provider PreZero are collaborating to process specific streams of recyclable materials (such as plastic film and cardboard) from their own stores.
As a result, for promotional items clearly marked accordingly, the use of virgin plastic is reduced, and the plastic content of the respective packaging is partially replaced by post-consumer recycled material – exceeding the minimum quotas required by law.
In this way, the companies of the Schwarz Group are helping to increase the recycling rate for select plastic packaging.
Recycling loops work
Collecting recyclable materials, processing waste into secondary raw materials, and thereby contributing to resource conservation.
How PreZero adds new value to used materials through targeted collection, sorting, and processing, and supplies the economy with recycled materials.
To this end, PreZero—an internationally active waste and recycling company—collects household waste, such as packaging materials, directly from consumers.
These materials are then sorted by type and sent for further recovery and recycling.
Plastic waste is turned into recycled materials that serve as raw materials for new everyday products.
For example, at PreZero Polymers, plastic waste is cleaned and processed into regranulate. This recycled material can then be used to create new products such as household goods, children’s toys, or patio furniture.
In this way, PreZero contributes to the jointly developed, internationally focused “REset Plastic” strategy of the Schwarz Group companies.
With this strategy and in accordance with their publicly available implementation plan, the Schwarz Group companies aim to gradually reduce the use of non-recycled plastic and promote the use of recycled material in their processes.
PreZero also recycles aluminum.
To do this, PreZero Pyral uses a specialized pyrolysis process that recovers aluminum from waste and allows it to be reused in the manufacture of new products.
This process saves up to 95% in energy compared to the primary extraction of aluminum from bauxite.
The aluminum recovered in this way can then serve as a raw material for new packaging or products.
Use of Recycled Materials in Packaging:
Household Goods Made from Recycled Materials
Use of Recycled Materials in Household Goods: Household goods made from recycled plastic.
Based on this, the retail chains Kaufland and Lidl have been offering household goods on a promotional basis since 2021, with 100% of their plastic content made from PreZero recycled material. The product range for these promotional items is continuously being expanded.
The entire recycling and manufacturing process takes place in Europe in order to minimize transportation distances within Europe and promote the use of local recyclable materials.
Compared to the production of virgin plastic, PreZero Polymers uses recycled materials to manufacture products such as buckets, laundry baskets, and storage boxes, which are more resource-efficient (based on process life-cycle assessments).
PreZero Polymers has 30 years of experience in plastic recycling—using this expertise, they process plastic waste from bales and flakes into PP, PE, and PS recycled materials and composites.
Depending on their intended use, the products differ not only in color and type of plastic but also in their texture. With various fillers and components, each recycled material is given its specific properties, making it perfectly suited for its new life as plastic.
Garden Supplies Made from Recycled Materials
To promote the use of recycled plastics, Lidl offers select garden furniture and accessories, with the plastic content ranging from 30% to 100% recycled material from PreZero Polymers, depending on the item (as specified on the respective product label).
A key advantage of these products is that the value chain—from the collection of recyclables through processing at PreZero to sale at Lidl—remains within the corporate group.
The use of recycled materials reduces the demand for new crude oil. Furthermore, according to life cycle assessment analyses, the processing of plastics results in lower greenhouse gas emissions than the production of new plastic.
The use of recycled materials from the company’s own value chain reduces dependence on external markets and supports a reliable supply of materials that meet high-quality standards.
Kaufland also offers a colorful selection of sand toys in addition to gardening supplies. These include shovels, molds, vehicles, and sand mills. The plastic content of these certified toys consists of an average of 60% to 80% recycled material.
The products also support an educational initiative that teaches children the basics of waste sorting and the responsible use of resources through play.
Aerosol cans and pans made from recycled aluminum
Aluminum—an important raw material, not just for the packaging industry.
As many people don’t realize, extracting aluminum from bauxite—the most important raw material for aluminum—requires an enormous amount of energy. This makes it all the more important to recycle this material efficiently.
Consequently, targeted flagship projects have been launched in the aluminum sector to significantly expand the processing and reuse of recycled aluminum.
The “Cien” aerosol can—a Lidl Germany private label—is made of 50% aluminum, which is disposed of in the yellow bag and recycled by PreZero Pyral. The deodorant can is available for purchase at all Lidl stores in Germany.
The cycle begins anew when consumers dispose of the empty can in the yellow bag. Over 100 million aerosol cans have already been produced and returned to stores in this way. Together with PreZero Pyral, Lidl is thus helping to achieve Europe’s aluminum recycling targets.
In addition, PreZero has developed other aluminum products in collaboration with Lidl and Kaufland. These include, for example, pans whose aluminum bodies are made from 100% recycled aluminum.
The products are highly durable and, thanks to their even heat distribution, enable efficient frying and cooking.
Here, too, a large portion of the value creation is handled by companies within the Schwarz Group. PreZero is responsible for the collection, sorting, and recycling of aluminum waste, while Kaufland and Lidl develop the products and ultimately sell them in their stores. PreZero Pyral’s pyrolysis process can save up to 95% of the energy required compared to the primary production of aluminum from bauxite.
This makes the production of the pans particularly resource-efficient.
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