Less packaging, easier to recycle

In order to conserve raw materials and energy, Migros avoids waste and closes material cycles. It has developed a recycling system for the generated waste. More than 74% of the approximately 236'000 tonnes of operating waste is recycled every year, of which 14'000 tonnes are customer returns. Migros' system for customer returns is the most elaborate in Switzerland. PET drinks bottles make up the majority of items, with customers returning 9375 tonnes in 2013.

Charts on quantity of operational waste

All plastic bottles welcome

Migros is the first Swiss retailer to systematically recover and properly recycle all types of household plastic bottles. Migros also takes back CDs and DVDs separately. Used plastic bottles are given a fresh lease of life (e.g. as cable conduits). The recycled material from the storage media is used in motorcycle helmets, among other things.

In 2013 Migros adapted all recycling collection points in almost 600 branches. Alongside a new design in the style of the Generation M campaign and structural changes to the collection facilities, the disposal processes were also adapted. Customers were made aware of the new recycling service through competitions and in-branch games, as well as through informational texts in Migros' own publications.

Voluntary commitment to cycles

With its elaborate return system, Migros is making a contribution towards the green economy. However, it rejects the unilateral obligation for retailers to take back packaging, which is being discussed by the Federal Government. Instead, it focuses on voluntary measures and regularly proves that it takes appropriate action. For example, various Migros take-aways use returnable containers for hot drinks. In some Migros Aare take-aways, customers could also have their lunch served in robust returnable dishes. The company also took part in the first national Clean-Up Day in 2013. In all take-aways and restaurants of the Migros Cooperative Aare, customers who brought their returnable cup with them on that day received a free hot drink.

Food waste

Each year, Migros collects detailed data about its food waste. The figures show that 98.6% of the food offered is actually used for its intended purpose, i.e. it is sold, or offered to staff at a reduced price before its sell-by date. Furthermore, Migros has been working together with aid organisation such as Tischlein deck dich, Schweizer Tafel and Partage for many years now in order to supply impoverished people with food that is still fresh.



The foodbridge project, launched in 2013, aims to ensure that even more food finds its way to people in need in future. Members of the Swiss retail stakeholder group IG DHS, including Migros, have pledged to provide Tischlein deck dich and Schweizer Tafel with CHF 680'000 annually over the next three years. In 2013 the company also looked into extending the sell-by dates printed on the packaging. The first corrections have already been made in the cheese range.

Comprehensive packaging strategy

For several years, Migros has been working on optimising its packaging in an ecological sense. In 2013 it recorded the packaging data of its own industry in detail for the first time and used this as a basis for developing a new standardised strategy for more environmentally friendly packaging. Migros' own packaging, followed by the packaging of key suppliers, is being optimised gradually.

For example, in the reporting year it introduced a more environmentally friendly packaging for uncooked organic cold meats, which uses 60% less plastic. Laminated FSC cardboard is now used in place of the previous plastic dish. In addition, the production company Bina managed to reduce the packaging of ready-made salads by replacing the plastic cover with a foil. Depending on the size of the packaging, this can reduce the required material by up to 38%. Migros now attaches a button to ecologically optimised packaging to show the improvement.