The membership of makro Portugal in SDRetalhistas, an associate of SDR Portugal, strengthens the size and ambition of this non-profit association, which aims to create and manage the future Deposit Refund System (DRS) for non-reusable beverage packaging. It envisions creating more than 1,500 direct and indirect jobs nationwide and making an investment exceeding 100 million euros.
Lisbon, September 28, 2022 – makro Portugal has signed a protocol of adhesion to SDRetalhistas, an associate of SDR Portugal, which is a candidate for the management of the future Single-Use Beverage Packaging Deposit and Refund System (SDR) to be created in Portugal, as defined by European legislation and under the guidelines to be set by the Portuguese government.
The inclusion of makro Portugal marks the integration of the first exclusively wholesale company in Portugal into SDR Portugal, a non-profit association consisting of SDRetalhistas, which includes the brands Auchan, Intermarché, Lidl, Mercadona, Pingo Doce e SonaeMC, and Associação Circular Drinks, which includes companies such as Água do Fastio, Águas das Caldas de Penacova, COCA-COLA, Empresa das Águas do Areeiro, Empresa das Águas do Vimeiro, Empresa de Cervejas da Madeira, Font Salem Portugal, Grupo Areeiro, Monchique Mineral Water, Parmalat Portugal, SCC – Sociedade Central de Cervejas, Sumol+Compal, Super Bock Group, UNILEVER FIMA as well as the Águas Minerais e de Nascente de Portugal and PROBEB – Associação Portuguesa das Bebidas Refrescantes Não Alcoólicas (Portuguese Association of Non-Alcoholic Refreshing Beverages) associations.
The inclusion in SDR Portugal highlights makro’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, both at the national level and in line with the strategy of the METRO AG group to which it belongs. It also highlights the active contribution of the wholesale company to meeting national targets for the selective collection of non-reusable beverage packaging.
Leonardo Mathias, President of SDR Portugal, emphasizes that
“The inclusion of makro Portugal in SDR Portugal, through the SDRetalhistas Association, demonstrates the opportunity of the solution we propose for the future Deposit Refund System to be implemented in Portugal. With this membership, SDR Portugal brings together more than 80% of the retail market in Portugal, in addition to the 90% of the soft drinks industry represented by the companies in Circular Drinks. This is a very significant representation of producers and distributors of non-reusable beverage packaging at the national level. We are confident in the strength of the solution we present, and the trust that companies place in SDR Portugal is a testimony to our capacity and the most suitable model to achieve higher and better recycling rates, in line with the country’s commitments, and to improve the environment.”
Nuno Nogueira Oliveira, Quality Assurance Manager & Sustainability Officer of makro Portugal, points out that
“At makro Portugal and within the METRO Group, we are increasingly committed to implementing environmentally responsible strategies. Therefore, this is an important step for the company, as well as an opportunity to collaborate with the various member companies of SDR Portugal. The goal is mutual: to develop a future deposit system for beverage packaging that is efficient and effective, tailored to the real needs of the market and consumers, and that genuinely contributes to increasing recycling rates and material circularity, thus meeting national targets.”
For the first time, industry and retail come together in a circular economy system aimed at waste valorisation, highlighting the priority given to this issue. Aligned with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the shareholders of SDR Portugal aim to implement an efficient and effective system that guarantees the environmental responsibility advocated by all these companies. This system should be convenient for consumers – in terms of availability, speed, simplicity, accessibility, and reliability – promote transparency, and contribute to meeting the targets to which the country is obligated for plastic beverage packaging:
• Return rate of 77% by 2025 and above 90% from 2029 onwards;
• Incorporation rate of recycled material in beverage bottle production (known as “rPET”) of 25% by 2025 and above 30% from 2030 onwards).
The Deposit Refund System, as proposed by SDR Portugal, is a complementary alternative to the current system, based on a more sustainable, transparent, and efficient solution that prioritizes the convenience of the consumer-citizen, creating conditions for the necessary behaviour change.
SDR Portugal – Deposit Refund System
The SDR Portugal consists of the companies in the beverage industry and retailers operating in Portugal, like Coca-Cola, Central de Cervejas, Sumol+Compal, Super Bock Group, and Unilever (comprising the Circular Drinks Association and representing 90% share of the refreshing drinks industry),, as well as the brands Auchan, Intermarché, Lidl, makro, Mercadona, Pingo Doce, and MC (forming SDRetalhistas Association and representing more than 80% of the total Portuguese market). The industry and retail sectors are coming together with the mission to fulfil what they believe is a national imperative: increasing the number of collected and recycled packaging while reducing their environmental impact and contributing to Portugal’s commitment to meeting its targets. At the same time, they aim to create conditions to stimulate technological innovation and the competitiveness of Portuguese companies, boosting the national economy.
With the implementation of the Deposit Refund System, SDR Portugal anticipates an investment exceeding 100 million euros, of which 70 million should be allocated within the first two years (the minimum implementation period of the system following the issuance of the license / concession) and the creation of more than 1,500 direct and indirect jobs. Nationwide, the proposed system envisions the deployment of 3,600 return machines, retrieval equipment with integrated technology that accepts used packaging. In addition to installation on large retail surfaces (2,600). Out of the universe of 90,000 points in traditional commerce and the HORECA channel, the proposed system aims to ensure the collection of packaging from more than one-third of the total.
Comprising major Packagers (Producers and Distributors) with national coverage, SDR aims to simultaneously manage an efficient system, thanks to the achieved economies of scale. It will reduce the complexity of the registration system for the covered packaging, simplifying operations for packagers and retailers with more transparent costs and operations. This will also lead to a reduction in regulatory costs for the government with equity in the applied fees. This will also lead to a reduction in regulatory costs for the government with equity in the applied fees. This new system will provide greater clarity for consumers, contribute to higher recycling rates to meet European targets, and help reduce littering by up to 40% and marine litter.
About METRO:
METRO is a leading international wholesale company, offering a range of food and non-food products, specializing in serving the needs of hotels, restaurants, and cafeterias (HoReCa), as well as independent businesses. Globally, METRO serves approximately 16 million customers who can choose to shop at one of its large stores, place orders online, and pick up their purchases in-store or have them delivered to their specified address. On the other hand, the company also supports the competitiveness of entrepreneurs and small businesses with digital solutions, thereby contributing to cultural diversity in retail and hospitality. Sustainability is a key pillar for METRO The company has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 7 consecutive years. Currently, the company operates in 34 countries and employs over 97,000 people worldwide. In the fiscal year 2019/20, METRO generated sales of around 25.6 billion euros.
For more information, visit metroag
About Makro:
Makro, the Portuguese subsidiary of METRO, is a leading wholesale distribution company that primarily sells food and non-food products. Makro provides a comprehensive and integrated service tailored to the supply needs of professionals in the restaurant, hospitality, and similar sectors, as well as food and non-food retailers, institutions, associations, foundations (both public and private), businesses, entrepreneurs in industry and services, and self-employed professionals.
Makro is in Portugal since 1989 and currently operates 10 stores in the country’s major economic and urban centres, employing around 1,000 people. In the fiscal year 2019/20, Makro generated revenue of 351 million euros. Makro’s strategy focuses on specializing in the HoReCa channel, and the company has revised the entire shopping experience process in its 10 stores nationwide, emphasizing key factors such as flexibility, quality, price, and speed to offer a personalized and more customer-tailored service.
Makro manages its business according to its Guiding Principles: Leading by Example, Power of Relationships, Customer Success, Sustainable Business, and Make It Happen . These five pillars are crucial for the daily decisions made by all Makro employees to fulfil the company’s business objectives.
More information at makro