Waste management

Fighting food waste

We are committed to halving the food waste generated by our operations by 2030, in line with target 12.3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We also aim to limit waste to 16.1 kg per tonne of food sold by 2023. To measure and monitor our progress with regard to the commitment made, we were the first retailer in Portugal to publicly calculate and disclose our waste footprint, in line with the World Resources Institute’s Food Loss and Waste methodology.

To make it easier to read the dates of food products, whenever possible, we only indicate one expiration date. Consumers are also offered discounts on products that are nearing their expiration date.

Other measures to prevent waste:

• roast chicken and pig that are not sold, but which are still suitable for consumption, are shredded and used for pizzas, salads and sandwiches sold at the takeaway counter or in trays.
• salmon heads from the fish counter are sold at reduced prices;
• larger fruit (melons, watermelons, cantaloupe melons, papayas and pineapple) is cut into halves to avoid waste in stores and in consumers’ homes, encouraging customers to purchase only the desired amount.

We also buy non-standard fruit and vegetables from suppliers. Instead of leaving them to rot in fields, we incorporate “ugly” produce into the soups we produce in Portugal and Poland or in 4th range products (washed and pre-cut ready-to-use vegetables), sold at Pingo Doce and Recheio stores. By doing so, we are helping to reduce waste upstream of our operations, whilst also ensuring that “ugly” fruits and vegetables, which have the same nutritional profile as their “prettier” counterparts, are integrated in the value chain, and are used.

Jerónimo Martins Agro-Alimentar also sources by-products from the food industry and non-standard vegetables for incorporation into cattle feed.

Food donations

The Group Companies donate food to charities, which helps limit food waste even more in our distribution operations.

Learn more here.

Waste characterisation and recovery

We have already sent 85.5% of the 577,500 tonnes of waste generated in 2022 for recovery. Our commitment is to ensure an annual recovery rate of at least 85% of the waste generated in the 2021-2023 period.