Dufry Says Goodbye to Plastic Bags

Dufry will part company with plastic carrier bags by 2021. The company has taken the decision to replace plastic carrier bags for more environmental-friendly ones made of compostable and recyclable materials. At the same time, and as a global policy, Dufry will start charging customers for carrier bags.

The new bags will be gradually available in our stores by the end of 2020 and will coexist with existing plastic ones until the stocks of plastic bags are used. This decision is part of Dufry´s commitment to a more sustainable business and pursues the objective of reducing plastics across our business. The only exception for the time being will be STEBs (Secure Tamper Evident Bags) for airport purchases as per the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and certain airports.

A global approach to plastics

The ultimate objective is none other than re-educating consumers to use plastic carrier bags only when they are needed – instead of every time they make a purchase. Governments here and there have taken action to reduce the use of lightweight/plastic bags, by either imposing a charge, enforcing retailers to sell them or even banning the sale of plastic bags. As a result, the number of public policies on plastic carrier bags has more than tripled since 2010, and they are now found on all continents, ranging from the municipal to the intergovernmental level.

That’s also the case for Dufry. In most of our operations, we have already decommissioned single-use plastic bags for others with longer life. In some of our operations, mostly in Europe, we are obliged to charge customers for the use of plastic bags as a way of raising awareness and reducing the number of plastic bags used. Requirements in some other countries go even further and envision total decommissioning of plastics bags in the short to middle term.

With the decision of phasing out plastic carrier bags globally, hence adopting the most restrictive scenario, Dufry is taking a major step forward to a more sustainable business. 

The customers´ view

The phasing-out of lightweight plastic bags is probably one of the main highlights of 21^st century retail. Traditionally given for free to customers by stores when purchasing, there are a number of problems associated with the heavy use of them, including the use of non-renewable resources (such as crude oil, gas and coal), difficulties of disposal, and environmental impacts.

Re-educating customers is not an easy task. Whilst taking a reusable shopping bag with us for food and grocery shopping is becoming more and more common, airport shopping is still expected to come along with a complimentary carrier shopping bag in consumers´ mind. In the last few years, however, the social awareness towards eliminating the consumption of unnecessary resources, with plastics as a main target, seems to be changing this perception. And whilst it can create some irritation amongst customers at the tills, finding a space in our luggage for that perfume, or buying a nice re-usable bag are becoming second nature to everyone.

Towards a more sustainable Dufry

Replacing plastic carrier bags is a considerable operational challenge for Dufry, with important implications over production, marketing and staff and customer education. This important step, however, builds on many other local initiatives implemented across Dufry operations, which probably are less “visual” but equally work towards Dufry´s objective of reducing the environmental impact. Reducing paper consumption in offices; the use of LED technology lighting and more energy efficient appliances both in stores and offices; recycling of pellets at warehouses; the use of sustainable construction materials in our stores; ONE Order – a system which enables Dufry to have more efficient supply chain and logistics - are just examples of some of the initiatives started to achieve a more environmental friendly business.