EUROPE: Carrefour, Tetra Pak team up with green push

By: just-food.com | 2 February 2009

Carrefour has joined forces with Tetra Pak to launch a consumer awareness campaign to coincide with EU Sustainable Energy Week (9-13 February).

The campaign, to be launched in over 600 hypermarkets across Spain, France, Belgium and Italy, will involve milk and juice cartons carrying a visual highlighting the campaign as well as eco-tips.

"We recognise that as a leading European retailer we have a clear responsibility to manage our direct impact on the environment and reduce our energy use," said Véronique Discours Buhot, Carrefour's sustainability director. "We can also promote action by our suppliers and help our many customers to limit their energy consumption."

The campaign is the latest development in Tetra Pak's strategy for reducing the impact of its business on the environment. The packaging group said it has increased the energy efficiency of its production by 23% since 2002 and is increasingly using certified green energy.

"The joint action with Carrefour aims to give a practical example of packaging's role in raising consumer awareness on ways to tackle climate change like saving energy and using renewable resources," said Erika Mink, environment director, Europe, at Tetra Pak. "Through the information and messages it can carry, packaging can be influential in helping guide consumer behaviour."

Carrefour is working towards an objective of a 20% reduction by 2020 compared to 2004. It is deploying energy management systems, energy saving lighting and closed freezer cabinets.

Sectors: Dairy, Retail, Sustainability & the environment

Companies: Carrefour, Tetra Pak