Coles Group has released its Sustainability Strategy, setting out plans to achieve two key pillars of ‘Together to Zero’ and ‘Better Together’.
As part of this strategy, from today, single use plastic tableware products have been removed from the shelves of more than 2,500 Coles supermarkets, Express and Liquor stores. The move will see 1.5 million kilograms of single-use plastic diverted from landfill each year.
The items have now been replaced with a wide range of alternatives including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified tableware like timber cutlery and paper plates and reusable options.
The Coles Group Sustainability Strategy is aligned with and supports the achievement of nine of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) including zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water and life on land.
‘Together to Zero’ outlines Coles’ aspiration towards zero emissions, zero waste and zero hunger. It was first unveiled in March when Coles announced emissions targets including a commitment to be 100 per cent powered by renewable electricity by the end of FY25.
‘Better Together’ sets out the framework to create a team, community, sourcing and farming that is better together.
Coles Group CEO Steven Cain said Coles’ purpose to sustainably feed all Australians to help them lead healthier, happier lives is aligned with and supports the achievement of the UNSDGs.
“We have identified powerful initiatives across how we use energy, how we can move towards a circular economy, as well as how we will continue to improve our sustainable sourcing.
“We are not working alone. Our relationships with our team members, shareholders, farmers, suppliers, partners, customers, and communities drive our sustainability agenda forward. We want to win together in the best interests of all, including through our Australian First Sourcing Policy.
“We have already made meaningful progress on our commitment to be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity by the end of FY25. We are proud that we were the first Australian retailer to announce a power purchase agreement and that the first of these solar farms in Corowa, New South Wales has become fully operational. We have landmark renewable electricity agreements with Lal Lal Windfarms, CleanCo, ENGIE and Neoen. These combined renewable electricity agreements provide enough to power more than 750 average sized supermarkets.
“Coles Group is building on its important community partnerships including with food rescue organisation SecondBite and soft plastics recycler REDcycle. Since 2011, Coles has helped SecondBite provide the equivalent of more than 145 million meals to Australians in need through more than 1,000 community organisations. With REDcycle, Coles has facilitated the collection of more than 1.5 billion pieces of customers’ soft plastic to be recycled into furniture, children’s playground equipment, roads and even Coles carparks.”