Alshaya Group reduces waste by 40% in its trial outlets

Through a series of recently launched projects regional retail conglomerate Alshaya Group is accelerating its shift towards a circular model by adopting sustainable practices and solutions.

In the UAE Alshaya Group has piloted a programme to convert PET waste generated by its brands in Mall of the Emirates into recycled new plastic containers, which are then utilised by the brands. The brands participating in this pilot programme are Starbucks, Shake Shack, Pinkberry and P.F Chang’s.

Speaking about the pilot programme, Seneca Cottom, Head of Sustainability, Alshaya Group said, “Through our first initiative, we aim to promote the circular economy and lead the industry towards a more sustainable, responsive and efficient future. Along with our partners, we have reduced Alshaya’s trial outlets’ waste volumes by almost 40% over a two-month trial period, and we see great potential to adopt different means and reduce even more waste thanks to all the insights and learnings we have made throughout this pilot phase.”

“We are deeply committed to driving progress towards a sustainable economy across the markets in which we operate and are constantly striving for a sustainable future by collaborating with local partners to develop innovative solutions,” she added.

Through the connected recycling initiative, Alshaya aims to establish digital solutions to trace renewable and recycled material flows that will aid in providing increased transparency along the value chain through the adoption of digital trust. This, in turn, will aid in measuring the end-to-end journey of the materials used and drive the change of future packaging to contain recycled content.

Partnering with companies that champion circularity, such as Dgrade and Al Bayader allows Alshaya Group to achieve its goals for a circular economy through the implementation of programmes directed to recycling, reuse, reduction of waste, use of raw materials, reduction in water wastage and many more activities that positively impact the environment and society.