Biodegradable shopping bags to K-food stores in late October
Starting from the end of October, K-food stores will offer Pirkka 100% biodegradable shopping bags as an option for plastic bags. At the same time the product range will also be complemented with a new Pirkka non-disposable bag.
The Pirkka 100% biodegradable shopping bag looks like a plastic bag but is completely biodegradable. The fact is clearly printed on the bag. The bag is made of renewable natural resources; its main raw material comes from Italy and is based on cornstarch.
"Bags can be disposed of by placing them in an organic waste container, by composting or in mixed waste. From the viewpoint of the environment, the two first ones are the most desirable and best alternatives. The bag can also be disposed of by burning," says Environmental Manager Timo Jäske.
The product meets EU requirements for biodegradability and compostability of packaging in compliance with the strictest standard, EN 13432. In accordance with the standard's requirements, composting breaks the product down into water and carbon dioxide.
"For us it was very important to make the bag sufficiently durable, so that it would be a real option for a plastic bag. Our focus on the quality of the material is also reflected in the price of the product but we believe that responsible consumers are ready to pay a little more for a durable, biodegradable shopping bag than for a plastic bag," says Product Manager Johanna Joki.
In addition to the biodegradable shopping bag, there will also be new non-disposable Pirkka bags available at checkouts. "A non-disposable bag is a good alternative for those customers who want to have an extremely durable and spacious shopping bag which can be used for several times. Thanks to its durability, the bag is suitable for returning recyclable bottles to stores, for example," says Joki.
Further information about the biodegradable shopping bag:
- The raw material and finished products have been studied by many European research institutes
- Biodegradability of the material has also been studied by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, in the tests of which a finished product turned into compost in about 40 days
- A biodegradable shopping bag will cost about €0.30 (recommended retail price)
- The tensile strength of a biodegradable shopping bag is approximately the same as that of a plastic bag
Further information:
Timo Jäske, Environmental Manager, Kesko Food Ltd, tel. +358 1053 28222
Johanna Joki, Product Manager, Kesko Food Ltd, tel. +358 1053 22270
Concern for the environment is part of the K-food stores' responsibility. Other priorities include promoting healthy eating habits, responsible purchasing, product safety, concern for the employees, and maintenance of diverse selections and services. A special focal area in K-food stores' responsibility is the wellbeing of children and young people.
Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is a Finnish retail specialist whose stores offer quality to the daily lives of consumers through valued products and services at competitive prices. Kesko has about 2,000 stores engaged in chain operations in the Nordic and Baltic countries, and Russia.
