GERMANY. Gebr. Heinemann has reported early success in an environmental initiative to reduce the use of single-use disposable plastic bags.
It has reported a reduction of -50% in such bags being sold, while sales of reusable bags – which have a 50% recycling part and cost €2 – have increased by around +180%.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with marine wildlife protection organisation OceanCare, aims to reduce plastic waste in the world’s oceans.
“By paying a contribution of 30 cents for each single-use disposable bag at all 14 German and Austrian Heinemann Duty Free sites, passengers from all over the world are made aware of the environmental pollution issue,” Heinemann stated. It noted that the reusable bags were “ideal for use as shopping bags for holiday purchases or beach bags”.
Co-owner Claus Heinemann commented: “Our aim was to massively reduce the use of plastic bags. However, we know that customers in the Heinemann Duty Free shops enjoy making spontaneous purchases and need additional options for carrying them.
“By cooperating with OceanCare, we are raising our customers’ awareness of the problems that exist in our oceans and are ensuring that the proceeds we receive through the sale of plastic bags go towards protecting our seas.”
In the first half of 2017, a total of €55,000 was collected from all participating Heinemann sites for OceanCare projects.
The donation is being invested in areas including the rescue of marine animals and environmental education. One project supported is the British Divers for Marine Life Rescue, a world leading stranding network for seals, dolphins and whales.
OceanCare also collaborated in an initiative with Majorcan organisation Ondine to develop a three-day education model in Majorca’s state schools. As well as the theoretical principles regarding the problem of plastic pollution, students also got involved in cleaning up beaches.
“Every year, some nine million tonnes of plastic waste are released into the oceans. If this continues, by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish swimming in the sea,” said OceanCare Managing Director Vera Bürgi. “Gebr. Heinemann has recognised the sign of the times. By reducing single-use disposable bags and supporting our projects, the company is making a significant contribution to protecting the world’s oceans.”
Following the pilot phase in Germany and Austria, Heinemann will roll out the programme in the medium term to other international Heinemann Duty Free sites.
“Due to the positive reception of these measures by our customers in Germany and Austria, we are currently looking to extend this to other Heinemann shops throughout the EU,” said Gebr. Heinemann Director Retail Sales Europe Jens Wolf.
“In connection with this, we are also working on a fashionable, reusable bag, to be made available at all Heinemann sites in the second half of 2017. We hope this will enable us to convince even more of our customers to use reusable bags, thus further reducing the use of plastic bags.”
