Cape Town - Well-loved retailer Checkers is claiming bragging rights for its new trolleys made from 100% recycled plastics.
Following on from its established environmental enterprise, Checkers is rolling out new trolleys using mostly old milk bottles. Since 2018 the retailer’s trolleys have contained at least 35% of recycled contents.
This roll out makes Checkers the first major retailer to have trolleys made from 100% recycled materials. They vary in size – classic and mini –and use 180 or 110 old milk bottles respectively.
Group sustainability manager Sanjeev Raghubir said: “We have set ambitious targets to reduce our environmental impact and we will continue to raise our efforts to reach those as part of our wider sustainability strategy. This change is just one of several initiatives we have introduced across our operations.”
Checkers has introduced several environmental initiatives in the past such as the first retailer to recycle sanitation wipes from its supermarkets; the first premium South African supermarket to run entirely on renewable energy; earlier this year, Checkers became the first South African retailer to replace its rotisserie chicken packaging with fully recyclable and responsibly sourced cardboard boxes; and in 2018 Checkers introduced “planet” bags, rewarding customers every time they reuse the bag.
Nine years ago it became the first national retailer to introduce shopping bags made from 100% recycled content in its supermarkets.
Checkers said its latest venture is an ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and promoting a circular economy.
siviwe.melapi@inl.co.za