South African Retail Group Tests Zero-Waste Strategy at Supermarket

The Pick n Pay retail group has launched a zero-waste supermarket pilot in Cape Town, South Africa, as the group attempts to lower its waste output.

This pilot store for Pick n Pay will test out a net zero-waste strategy by diverting food waste to local farmers, composters, and waste-to-energy facilities.

“All edible surplus food – food that has passed its sell-by date but not its use-by date – is already donated to FoodForward SA, which feeds almost a million people daily through 2,750 beneficiary organizations,” Pick n Pay said.

If successful, the retail group will look to replicate the zero-waste strategy across more stores nationwide. Plans are already in place to extend the concept to its distribution centers.

The Pick n Pay store in Stellenbosch Square will act as the pilot model. The store has partnered with supplier Farmer Angus to divert around 600 kg of food waste per week.

“This is expected to save 1,500 kilograms of carbon emissions weekly – which is equivalent to a savings of 7,000 kilometers of emissions from a standard petrol car,” Pick n Pay said.

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