Supermarket chain SPAR Hungary has introduced recyclable shopping bags made from the company’s plastic waste in its stores. 

The company says it uses 150 tonnes of plastic waste each year to manufacture these shopping bags as part of its sustainability initiative, which aims to decrease landfill waste, carbon dioxide emissions, and ecological footprint. 

The chain collects plastic film waste from its stores and transports it to its two logistics centres for baling.  

SPAR Hungary has also secured special authorisation to allow it to transfer the necessary amount of plastic film waste to its partner, Papier-Mettler, for the production of recycled shopping bags. 

Papier-Mettler produces a ribbon-handle bag for the company and is set to start manufacturing a larger-sized bag using the supplied waste in 2025.  

Papier-Mettler's process involves transforming single-use packaging materials such as stretch film and shrink film into reusable and recyclable products.  

Following a successful test delivery in late 2023, SPAR Hungary started rolling out this solution across all its stores in September 2024.  

The recycled bags are designed to have the same durability as their original versions.  

SPAR Hungary communications head Márk Maczelka said: “Through our sustainability initiatives, SPAR Hungary is working to reduce the volume of waste film generated across its network every year.  

“Last year, we took a significant step towards recycling some of the generated plastic waste through an innovative circular waste management initiative. This new programme uses the company’s plastic waste to make shopping bags that can also be recycled. These bags are now available in our stores.” 

In February this year, SPAR Hungary revealed its plans to roll out a new type of reusable transport container for its fruit and vegetable departments in 2024.