Avoid, reduce, enhance...

• 6.8 % less packaging on 250 best-selling products
• Saving 1 360 tonnes of material and using 1 300 tonnes of recyclables 

Migros is Switzerland's largest retailer and supermarket chain. In recent years, as part of an environmental effort, it has reassessed its packaging in line with the principle of 'avoid, recuce and enhance'. 

Part of Migros efficiency drive is to develop packaging and products in parallel, taking into account the whole life cycle of the product and its packaging. 

Examples of changes to its packaging include replacing a thick plastic cover on its flutes with a thin-film, making the overall weight four times lighter. Jam jars now use thinner glass, reducing weight and transport costs (financial and environmental) without making them more fragile. The changes to the jam packaging alone saves around 118 tonnes of glass each year. 

Key results

In the past few years, Migros has reduced the environmental burden of packaging for its 250 best-selling products by 6.8 %. Overall, Migros was able to save 1 360 tonnes of material within two years and use about 1 300 tonnes of recyclables, as well as 3 780 tonnes of FSC cardboard, which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.