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Our progress

Key figures: closing the loop and recycling

Waste avoidance and a high recycling rate are important to us. For this reason, we continuously optimise our returns, recycling and disposal processes and close our loops whenever possible. We have also set ourselves strategic goals and are transparent about our progress.

How we collect our data

All company locations that produce relevant quantities of waste (i.e. over 50 tonnes per year) systematically record their waste data in a Group-wide database. This is mostly done on a monthly basis and less frequently on an annual basis and mainly affects cooperative retailing and Migros Industrie locations. Both operational waste from sales and production as well as customer waste that is returned to the stores are recorded.

The waste from cooperative retailing and Migros Industrie accounts for just under 90% of the waste volume of the entire Migros Group. The focus of the reported waste categories (“Composition of waste” tables) and recycling processes (“Recycling processes” table) is therefore on these two most relevant business areas.

To ensure the consistency of the data across the Group, it is recorded using a standardised methodology and predefined input screens. This includes the quantities of waste in tonnes, the waste fractions, the disposal processes as well as the recipients and costs of disposal. Data quality is ensured by means of the 6-eyes principle. First, the data is entered on site at the location and approved there by another responsible person. A central specialist at the Federation of Migros Cooperatives then checks the plausibility of all the data for the entire Migros Group and finally releases it. Only then is the data published internally and externally.

More about our sustainability governance here

What we have achieved so far

  • Circularity

    Our recycling rate is 83.1%.

    But we have achieved even more ...

Waste

Most of the Migros Group companies that generate the largest quantities of waste are also the owners of the operations centres, branches and production sites. This means that we implement waste management according to our own rules and monitor the quality of waste collection, sorting and storage according to strict criteria. However, we also implement our own waste concepts at rented locations or have the necessary collection and sorting infrastructure at our disposal.

At locations where third-party companies are commissioned to manage waste, we regulate the principles and conditions by means of contractual agreements. This means that our quality standards are also met there. Our companies do not recycle or destroy waste in their own operations. All waste is recycled by qualified recycling and disposal partners.

Within the food industry, most waste falls into the categories of paper and cardboard, organic waste, plastic or refuse. Hazardous waste, on the other hand, makes up a very small proportion of the total amount of waste. Hazardous waste and hazardous substances generated in Migros Industrie are managed in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard. Hazardous waste, such as paints and varnishes, is also returned to our branches via customer returns. We hand over this hazardous waste to qualified recycling companies for professional disposal.

  • Waste volume

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    Waste volume Migros Group

    Volume (in 1,000 tonnes)

    2023

    2022

    2021

    2020

    2019

    Cooperative retailing1

    137.1

    140.2

    141.2

    128.6

    133.1

    Migros Industrie2

    141.3

    134.7

    135.2

    135.7

    99.0

    Commerce3

    33.1

    31.8

    31.7

    28.1

    24.7

    Financial services and travel4

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    Migros Group

    311.6

    306.8

    308.6

    292.5

    256.9

    1 Migros branches, Migros logistics companies, Federation of Migros Cooperatives, Monte Generoso and tegut.
    2 Since 2020, additional Migros Industrie locations in Switzerland and abroad have been included in the scope of application.
    3 Denner, Digitec Galaxus (including abroad) and Ex Libris; excluding migrolino and Migrol.
    4 Bank and Hotelplan Switzerland.

    The waste data includes all locations that produce a relevant amount of waste, i.e. over 50 tonnes per year (in accordance with the limit defined as part of the Migros Group’s strategic waste management). Due to changes in the scope of consolidation (acquisitions or disposals of companies and parts of companies), there may be adjustments to the previous year’s figures each year. Waste data from the companies tegut and Ex Libris was collected for the first time in 2021, which led to an increase in waste volumes compared to previous years.

    • Waste categories

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      Composition of waste in 2023 (cooperative retailing)

      The data includes waste from Migros stores, Migros logistics operations, the Federation of Migros Cooperatives, Monte Generoso and tegut.

      Waste category

      Volume in tonnes

      Share of total waste volume

      Paper and cardboard

      53,088

      38.7%

      Organic waste

      28,835

      21.0%

      Refuse

      25,622

      18.7%

      Plastics

      16,902

      12.3%

      Wood, bulky goods, building rubble, miscellaneous

      4,729

      3.5%

      Special and controlled waste (electronic waste, batteries, other special waste)

      4,098

      3.0%

      Metals, glass

      2,656

      1.9%

      Animal by-products

      1,191

      0.9%

      Total

      137,121

      100%

      Composition of waste 2023 (Migros Industrie)

      The data includes waste from all Migros Industrie sites in Switzerland and abroad.

      Waste category

      Volume in tonnes

      Share of total waste volume

      Organic waste

      77,886

      55.1%

      Animal by-products

      36,265

      25.7%

      Refuse

      6,517

      4.6%

      Paper and cardboard

      6,408

      4.5%

      Special and controlled waste (electronic waste, batteries, other special waste)

      4,677

      3.3%

      Wood, bulky goods, building rubble, miscellaneous

      5,053

      3.6%

      Plastics

      2,920

      2.1%

      Metals, glass

      1,570

      1.1%

      Total

      141,296

      100%

      Recycling process

      For a better understanding, the waste categories and recycling processes are presented in two separate tables. However, the following connections can be made:

      Waste category

      Recycling process

      Wood, bulky goods, building rubble, miscellaneous

      Material recycling, refuse incineration plant (KVA), in-house incineration, cement plant 

      Refuse

      Refuse incineration plant (KVA), in-house incineration, cement plant

      Plastics

      Material recycling, refuse incineration plant (KVA), in-house incineration, cement plant

      Metals, glass

      Material recycling

      Organic waste

      Fermentation, animal feed

      Paper and cardboard

      Material recycling

      Other special and controlled waste

      Material recycling, refuse incineration plant (KVA), in-house incineration, cement plant

      Animal by-products

      Animal feed, fermentation, refuse incineration plant (KVA), in-house incineration, cement plant

      Definitions of the recycling processes

      • Material recycling: mechanical recycling

      • Animal feed: feeding to pets or farm animals

      • Fermentation: compost or anaerobic treatment of organic waste with the aim of producing biogas and fertiliser

      • Refuse incineration plant (KVA), in-house incineration, cement plant: thermal-energy recovery

      The relevant proportion of the Migros Group’s incinerated waste is generated in Switzerland and is incinerated in domestic refuse incineration plants (KVA). These use the heat for heating purposes and to generate electricity.

      • Recycling processes in detail

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        Recycling processes 2023 (cooperative retailing)

        The data includes waste from Migros stores, Migros logistics operations, the Federation of Migros Cooperatives, Monte Generoso and tegut.

        Recycling process

        Volume in tonnes

        Share of total waste volume

        Material recycling

        79,143

        57.7%

        Refuse incineration plant, in-house incineration, substitute fuels

        27,771

        20.2%

        Fermentation

        27,672

        20.2%

        Landfill

        1,340

        1.0%

        Animal feed

        811

        0.6%

        Composting

        384

        0.3%

        Total

        137,121

        100%

        Recycling processes 2023 (Migros Industrie)

        The data includes waste from all Migros Industrie sites in Switzerland and abroad.

        Recycling process

        Volume in tonnes

        Share of total waste volume

        Animal feed

        93,047

        65.8%

        Fermentation

        13,280

        9.4%

        Refuse incineration plant, in-house incineration, substitute fuels

        19,223

        13.6%

        Material recycling

        11,698

        8.3%

        Composting

        3,212

        2.3%

        Landfill

        836

        0.6%

        Total

        141,296

        100%

        Recycling

        Waste contains valuable resources that can be reintegrated into the material cycle. At the same time, however, it harbours various environmental risks. We therefore attach great importance to either avoiding waste or recycling it as completely as possible.

        • Recycling rate

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          According to our definition, the recycling rate includes the following recycling processes: material recycling, animal feed, fermentation, composting.

          Recycling rate (Migros Group) 

          Scope  

          2023 

          2022 

          2021 

          2020 

          2019 

          Cooperative retailing1 

          78.8%

          77.9% 

          77.5% 

          74.5% 

          72.5% 

          Migros Industrie  

          85.8% 

          85.0% 

          81.6% 

          81.0% 

          79.1% 

          Commerce2 

          89.2% 

          89.1% 

          86.4% 

          85.9% 

          80.5% 

          Financial services and travel3  

          62.7% 

          63.8% 

          58.8% 

          58.1% 

          52.8% 

          Migros Group  

          83.1%

          82.2% 

          80.2% 

          78.6% 

          76.0% 

          1 Migros branches of all cooperatives, Migros logistics companies, Federation of Migros Cooperatives, Monte Generoso and tegut.  
          2 Denner, Digitec Galaxus (incl. abroad) and Ex Libris; excluding migrolino and Migrol  
          3 Migros Bank, Hotelplan Switzerland

          Target: by the end of 2025, we will increase our recycling rate to at least 77.6%.

          Scope  

          Status  

          KPI  

          2023 

          2022 

          2021 

          2020 

          Operational and customer waste in the ten Migros Cooperatives 

          on track  

          Recycling rate in % 

           78.5%

          77.1% 

          77.0% 

          75.8% 

          • Reduction of incinerated waste

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            Target: by the end of 2025, we will reduce the amount of non-recycled waste to a maximum of 26,286 tonnes. 

            Scope  

            Status  

            KPI  

            2023 

            2022 

            2021 

            2020 

            Operational and customer waste in the ten Migros Cooperatives  

            on track  

            Amount of waste incinerated in tonnes  

             23,500

            27,293 

            26,201 

            27,281 

            • Training for employees

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              Target: by the end of 2025, employees from 1,190 stores will be trained in waste separation.   

              Scope  

              Status  

              KPI  

              2023 

              2022 

              2021 

              2020 

              Migros supermarkets and hypermarkets, Migros gastronomy, Migros specialist markets  

              not on track  

              Number of branches with training courses  

               450

              265 

               -

              Comment on the target status at the end of 2023:

              • In 2024, measures will be taken in all cooperatives to further increase training activities in the branches.

              • Customer returns

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                Customer returns by type of material (cooperative retailing: Migros branches and logistics companies)   

                Volume  (in 1,000 tonnes) 

                2023 

                2022 

                2021 

                2020 

                2019 

                PET beverage bottles  

                 8.1

                8.5 

                8.7 

                8.8 

                8.7

                Other plastic bottles 

                3.3 

                3.2 

                3.1 

                3.3 

                3.2 

                Plastic collection bag  

                0.7 

                0.5 

                0.2 

                – 

                – 

                Electronic waste  

                1.9 

                2.2 

                2.3 

                2.4 

                2.7 

                Batteries  

                0.3 

                0.3 

                0.3 

                0.3 

                0.3 

                Aluminium coffee capsules  

                0.4 

                0.4 

                0.3 

                0.1 

                – 

                Miscellaneous 

                0.5 

                0.5 

                0.6 

                0.6 

                0.7 

                Total  

                15.2 

                15.7 

                15.5 

                15.6 

                15.6 

                1 Water filter cartridges, cream blower cartridges, CDs, hazardous waste (chemicals, sludge, paints, waste oil), light bulbs    

                • New models for the circular economy

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                  Target: by the end of 2025, we will test how we can profit from circular economy approaches using three prototypes.   

                  Scope  

                  Status  

                  KPI  

                  2023 

                  2022 

                  2021 

                  2020 

                  Migros specialist markets   

                  on track  

                  Number of prototypes tested since 2020 

                   3

                  Comment on the target status at the end of 2023:

                  In 2023, three pilot projects were launched or continued in the specialist markets:

                  Packaging and plastic

                  Packaging: the maxim of ‘as little as possible, as much as necessary’ applies. And, of course, we promote circularity

                  • Expansion of zero-waste filling stations

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                    Target: by the end of 2025, 55 stores in 10 cooperatives will offer zero-waste filling stations for food.

                    Scope

                    Status

                    KPI

                    2023

                    2022

                    2021

                    2020

                    Migros supermarkets and hypermarkets

                    on track

                    Number of stores with zero-waste filling stations for food

                    51

                    -

                    -

                    -

                    Migros supermarkets and hypermarkets

                    goal achieved

                    Number of cooperatives that offer zero-waste filling stations for food

                    10

                    -

                    -

                    -

                    • Products without microplastics

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                      Target: by the end of 2025, none of our products will contain any microplastics.

                      Scope

                      Status

                      KPI

                      2023

                      2022

                      2021

                      2020

                      Migros supermarkets and hypermarkets incl. Migros Online

                      On track

                      Share of sales without microplastics in total sales (according to scope of application)

                      96.4%

                      96%

                      94%

                      93%

                      Comment on the target status at the end of 2023:

                      • Depuis 2015 déjà, toutes les marques propres Migros sont 100% sans microplastiques. Cela représente actuellement 96,4% de l’ensemble de l’assortiment, ce qui signifie que l’objectif intermédiaire 2023 a été atteint.

                      • Expansion of unpackaged sales of fruit and vegetables

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                        Target: by the end of 2025, at least one product in each product group (e.g. potatoes or tomatoes) in our supermarkets and hypermarkets will be offered unpackaged and at least one product in plastic-free packaging.

                        Scope

                        Status

                        KPI

                        2023

                        2022

                        2021

                        2020

                        Migros supermarkets and hypermarkets (national fruit and vegetable range)

                        on track

                        Proportion of product groups with at least one product sold unpackaged

                        80%

                        -

                        -

                        -

                        Migros supermarkets and hypermarkets (national fruit and vegetable range)

                        not on track

                        Proportion of product groups with at least one product in plastic-free packaging

                        30%

                        -

                        -

                        -

                        Comment on the target status at the end of 2023:

                        • Plastic-free packaging is a major challenge for many product groups when it comes to ensuring the quality and shelf life of products and thus avoiding food waste. However, we are still working on being able to offer plastic-free packaging in as many product groups as possible. The range with plastic-free packaging is primarily to be seen as a supplement to unpackaged products. Many customers do not distinguish whether they can buy a product unpackaged or in plastic-free packaging. They primarily want to do without plastic, which is achieved with both solutions.

                        • Reduction of packaging materials

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                          Target: by the end of 2025, we will reduce the packaging material used by 5% compared to 2020.

                          Scope

                          Status

                          KPI

                          2023

                          2022

                          2021

                          2020

                          All Migros Industrie products incl. export

                          on track

                          Reduction in packaging material used compared to 2020 in %

                          3%

                          2%

                          -

                          -

                          • Increasing the recyclability of packaging

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                            Target: all packaging will be recyclable by the end of 2025.

                            Scope

                            Status

                            KPI

                            2023

                            2022

                            2021

                            2020

                            All Migros Industrie products incl. export

                            not on track

                            Proportion of recyclable packaging

                            65%

                            69%

                            69%

                            -

                            Comment on the target status at the end of 2023:

                            • We are working hard to make the packaging of our own-brand products recyclable. In 2023, for example, the packaging of poultry meat was changed from solid yellow to transparent trays, making it recyclable. Further projects are in the pipeline and will ensure further progress by 2025.

                            • Increasing the proportion of recyclate in packaging

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                              Target: by the end of 2025, all packaging will consist of 50% recycled materials.

                              Scope

                              Status

                              KPI

                              2023

                              2022

                              2021

                              2020

                              All Migros Industrie products incl. export

                              not on track

                              Percentage of recycled material in packaging

                              41%

                              40%

                              36%

                              -

                              Comment on the target status at the end of 2023:

                              • The target was narrowly missed. Depending on the product group and packaging material, target achievement is very high. For example, many PET drinks bottles are already made from 100% recycled material, but the use of recycled cardboard or recycled PE (plastic) in direct contact with food is not (yet) possible, which makes achieving the target very challenging.

                              • Increase in share of renewable packaging

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                                Target: by the end of 2025, all packaging will consist of 60% renewable raw materials.

                                Scope

                                Status

                                KPI

                                2023

                                2022

                                2021

                                2020

                                All Migros Industrie products incl. export

                                not on track

                                Proportion of renewable raw materials in packaging

                                53%

                                52%

                                50%

                                -

                                Comment on the target status at the end of 2023:

                                • Where technically possible and environmentally sensible, we will continue to convert further packaging to renewable raw materials in the future.

                                • Statistics on renewable and non-renewable packaging materials

                                  Icon for opening or closing

                                  As we have a direct influence on packaging design through our own brands, we only collect packaging volumes for Migros Industrie (all products including exports). Migros Industrie products also cover a large part of the range in Migros supermarkets. This excludes third-party brand products and Migros supermarkets’ own brands that are produced by third-party suppliers.

                                  Definition of non-renewable packaging materials:

                                  • Packaging materials made from non-renewable raw materials (plastics, aluminium, tinplate, glass)

                                  Definition of renewable packaging materials:

                                  • Packaging materials based on wood (cardboard, paper, fibre material, etc.)

                                  • Packaging materials based on renewable raw materials (PET from CO2 recycling, bioplastics, etc.)

                                  Quantity of renewable and non-renewable packaging materials (Migros Industrie)

                                  Volume in tonnes

                                  2023

                                  2022

                                  2021

                                  2020

                                  2019

                                  Purchased packaging material non-renewable

                                  35,056

                                  34,833

                                  37,549

                                  35,911

                                  34,543

                                  Purchased packaging material renewable

                                  39,532

                                  39,280

                                  37,550

                                  36,537

                                  33,138

                                  Total packaging material purchased

                                  74,588

                                  74,113

                                  75,099

                                  72,447

                                  67,681

                                  • The increase in volumes after 2020 is due to improved data quality.

                                  Recycled raw materials purchased (Migros Industrie)

                                  Share of total in %

                                  2023

                                  2022

                                  2021

                                  2020

                                  2019

                                  Share of recycled raw materials in purchased packaging material

                                  41%

                                  39%

                                  36%

                                  36%

                                  33%

                                  Food Waste

                                  We have been committed to combating food waste for years. We pursue clear goals to reduce food waste along the entire value chain.

                                  • Reduction in total proportion of food waste

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                                    Target: by the end of 2025, we will reduce total food waste by 20% to 1.07%.

                                    Geltungsbereich

                                    Status

                                    KPI

                                    2023

                                    2022

                                    2021

                                    2020

                                    Migros supermarkets and hypermarkets

                                    not on track

                                    Share of food waste in %

                                    1.20%

                                    1.39%

                                    1.33%

                                    1.22%

                                    Comment on the target status at the end of 2023:

                                    • The Migros Cooperatives continue to prioritise accurate measurement and on reducing their food waste. Measures for the meat and fish categories in particular are given priority due to their high environmental relevance.

                                    • Measures in the upstream and downstream value chain

                                      Icon for opening or closing
                                      Target: we will support the upstream and downstream value chain by measurably reducing its food waste. At least one measure is to be implemented every year until 2025.

                                      Scope

                                      Status

                                      KPI

                                      2023

                                      2022

                                      2021

                                      2020

                                      Migros supermarkets and hypermarkets

                                      on track

                                      Number of measures per year

                                      3

                                      3

                                      3

                                      1

                                      Comment on the target status at the end of 2023:

                                      In 2023, three measures were successfully implemented:

                                      • In close cooperation with various industrial partners, intensive research was carried out into the development of tasty and healthy products from side streams. This collaboration led to the development of three meat substitute products, which will be produced by Migros Industrie and marketed in supermarkets in 2024.

                                      • During the consumer conference on 8 June, a lively discussion took place at the Federation of Migros Cooperatives (FMC) between internal and external stakeholders on the topic of food waste. Representatives from the fields of research, industry, politics and consumer protection discussed fresh ideas and concrete solutions.

                                      • A successful pilot for replenishment logistics at the Migros Aare Cooperative led to a doubling of food donations to charitable organisations.

                                      Dive deeper into the topic

                                      There are exciting stories behind the figures. Find out more about our commitment to circularity in our Stories.

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