Test at Kaufland: These products suddenly get a deposit 

Created: 03/22/2022Updated: 03/22/2022 18:53

By: Julia Thielen

Kaufland offers its customers a different range.

90 rather unexpected items now get a deposit.

It's about a test.

Anyone who buys drinks in the supermarket must inevitably ask themselves: "Deposit or not?" This has become even more complicated with the new 2022 deposit regulations*.

At least some products have been added to the existing deposit system.

The food giant Kaufland* is now expanding this significantly on a test basis.

explains in detail

which products and customers are affected .

The deposit system in Germany has existed for almost 20 years.

Since 2003, plastic bottles can be returned to supermarket and discounter branches after the contents have been consumed.

This year, the deposit system in Germany changed again drastically.

Now the content is no longer important, the deposit depends on the respective packaging.

Among other things, this caused Lidl to make some products more expensive*.

Kaufland starts test: These products suddenly get a deposit

The new deposit system is intended to save waste.

Kaufland also wants to protect the environment with numerous measures.

In 2021, the company even won a sustainability award* for a new type of packaging.

In order to avoid or reduce the use of plastic, the company not only implements legal requirements at Kaufland*, but also repeatedly tests new strategies itself.

In cooperation with the company Eco Terra, test unpackaged stations have recently been set up in eight branches of the food giant.

As part of the Schwarz Group, Kaufland is also involved in the group-wide plastics strategy REset Plastic.

Together, the group is pursuing the vision: less plastic - closed cycles.

Kaufland: deposit glass test for sustainability

"The responsible and resource-saving design of our range is our top priority," says Robert Pudelko, Head of Sustainability Purchasing at Kaufland.

"We are therefore always testing new options for sustainable and simple shopping."

The responsible and resource-saving design of our range is our top priority.

Robert Pudelko, Head of Purchasing Sustainability at Kaufland

This basic idea can also be clearly seen in the latest project.

Kaufland has decided to launch another test in terms of sustainability.

This time, a total of around 90 products are affected, for which customers should generally not expect a deposit.

However, they are now also being packaged and sold in returnable jars in cooperation with Eco Terra.

Kaufland: Up to 90 products affected by the test with returnable jars

Only ten branches are initially affected by the new deposit rules.

"Customers can choose from up to 90 items in organic quality," says Kaufland currently.

Eco Terra fills dry products into jars that end up on the shelves at Kaufland.

Customers can purchase them with a deposit and then get their money back as usual at the empties machine.

"This is how the returnable glasses get back into the reusable cycle," the statement says.

According to Kaufland, the following products are affected:

• cereal

• rice

• couscous

• sugar

• flour

• porridge

• gummy bear

• various nuts

• dried fruit

Kaufland: These branches are affected by the new deposit test

At least initially, not all customers will be able to enjoy the new range.

Kaufland is initially only conducting the test in these ten branches:

"With the returnable jars, we offer, in addition to the unpackaged stations, another innovative and practical solution for doing without packaging materials such as plastic," explains Pudelko.

However, Kaufland left open whether the deposit glasses will soon be available in all Kaufland branches.

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