South Australian Independent Retailers (SAIR) have committed to becoming part of a more circular economy for South Australia

South Australian Independent Retailers (SAIR) have committed to becoming part of a more circular economy for South Australia, launching the Food Waste and Recycling Strategy for Foodland and IGA Supermarkets 2021-2025.

Stores operating under the Foodland, IGA and Friendly Grocer Supermarkets brands will commit to over 20 waste initiatives in areas like food recovery, reducing packaging and plastics, educating customers and training staff in best practice waste avoidance.

The launch of this strategy at Klose’s Foodland in Woodside will allow South Australia’s independently owned supermarkets to activate new practices and systems to reduce the amount of waste generated at their stores and improve resource recovery, especially targeting food waste.

“Klose’s Foodland are already ahead of the game and in a South Australian first have eliminated plastic bags from their stores, using paper bags at the front of the store and certified compostable, South Australian made, bags for fruit and vegetables,” SA minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said.

“This is another example of a South Australian business leading the nation when it comes to waste management and eliminating single-use plastics and this new strategy will help others follow suit.”

Food waste remains one of South Australia’s most pressing challenges, Speirs said.

“We must commit to diverting our food waste away from landfill and into our compost industry, which is not only good for the environment, but it creates jobs as well,” he said.

“Last year I launched our Statewide Waste Strategy and this year I launched the first targeted food waste strategy in Australia to work towards zero avoidable food waste going to landfill.”