REWE delivery service saves 40 million paper bags

The REWE delivery service is now using reusable bags to deliver its products. Having already been tested in some model regions, they are now being rolled out nationwide. Thanks to the changeover, the REWE delivery service saves 40 million paper bags a year.

The reusable bag is one of several measures REWE Lieferservice is taking to become even more sustainable. We are constantly working on new ideas on how we can further improve our range in favour of consumers and the environment. And we test what works in the market. This is an essential part of REWE’s DNA, which is once again evident in the rollout of the reusable bag, explains Clemens Bauer, Managing Director of REWE E-Commerce. In order to determine the sustainability potential and optimisation possibilities of the bags, their life cycle was analysed by an independent institute. The results show that the reusable bag system offers significant advantages over the paper bag system: According to the analyses, it can save 62 per cent water.

Continuous optimisation for more impact

Raising customer awareness plays an important role in the success of the new offer. The useful life of the reusable bag is of central importance when it comes to sustainability. In order to maximise this, customers should be made aware of how important it is to make use of the options on offer. In concrete terms, this means that the more often a reusable bag can be used, the better its carbon footprint.

A total of 16 food fulfilment centres are taking part in the rollout – a major achievement, as the integration of nationwide innovations into complex processes always involves a great deal of effort. REWE Lieferservice also hopes that this will send out a signal: ‘If you, as the market leader, decide in favour of such a solution, it is of great significance and relevance,’ says Bauer. The reusable bag is only the beginning of a long journey – in close cooperation with independent external experts, REWE Lieferservice is currently developing a roadmap with further concrete measures for even more sustainability.