13 leading brands support Czech Republic’s plastics call

Major retailers across the Czech Republic have pledged to reduce or phase out their use of disposable plastic products starting in 2019. Thirteen brands including Lidl, Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Ikea have confirmed they are on board with an initiative launched by the country’s Environment Ministry.

‘The main topic over the coming months will be the submission of new laws on modern waste legislation,’ says the Czech environment minister Richard Brabec. He identifies ‘a sharp reduction of landfill as well as the strengthening of recycling’ as key issues that have to be developed. ‘That is why, thanks to our new partners, we are joining an initiative in the form of commitments that will contribute to the overall reduction of disposable plastics in our country,’ he adds.

IKEA has already outlined a sustainability strategy by which it will no longer be selling certain plastic products and will be removing plastic cutlery from in-store restaurants. ‘We have committed to ending the sale of all disposable plastic products such as straws or plastic plates by 2020,’ says Roman Bojko, sustainable development manager for IKEA Czech Republic.

Lidl is also ending the sale of disposable plastic products such as plates and straws in its stores next year, and will be introducing recyclable alternatives. The supermarket chain plans to reduce the plastic products it sells by 20% by 2025. ‘We welcome the initiative from the ministry because it is in line with our strategy of reducing plastic waste,’ says Lidl Czech Republic director general Pavel Stratil.

Both Starbucks ad Costa Coffee will incentivise the reuse of cups taken into their shops by offering customers a small financial reward. The latter is also replacing plastic cups and straws with paper alternatives, and using glassware for on-site consumption.