Checkers is rolling out new shopping trolley baskets made from 100% recycled plastic – mostly old milk bottles – thereby diverting more than 40 tons of recyclable material from landfill.

The retailer’s trolleys have contained at least 35% recycled content since 2018. Now it is the first major South African retailer to have trolley baskets made from 100% recyclable material.

The new trolley baskets come in classic and mini sizes, each made from 180 and 110 old milk bottles respectively.

“We’ve set ambitious targets to reduce our environmental impact and will continue to step up our efforts to reach these as part of our wider sustainability strategy. This change is just one of several initiatives we have introduced across our operations,” says Sanjeev Raghubir, Shoprite Group Sustainability Manager.

This move is part of Checkers’ ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and promoting a circular economy.

The Shoprite Group, South Africa’s largest retailer, is on a mission to reduce its carbon footprint and become a more environmentally friendly business. It’s doing this by installing solar photovoltaic systems atop its distribution centers and trailers, reducing its water use, and diverting plastic waste from the country’s already overwhelmed landfills

Checkers has introduced several other environmental initiatives:

• nine years ago, it became the first national retailer to introduce shopping bags made from 100% recycled content in its supermarkets; 
• in 2018 Checkers introduced “planet” bags, rewarding customers every time they re-use the bag;
• earlier this year, Checkers became the first South African retailer to replace its rotisserie chicken packaging with fully recyclable, responsibly sourced cardboard boxes;
• it is also the first retailer to recycle sanitising wipes from its supermarkets; and
• Checkers Sitari is the first premium South African supermarket to run entirely on renewable energy.