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“Organisations seeking to contribute to all three pillars of sustainable development – economic growth, social progress and environmental protection – need to address the idea of a transparent and resource-saving circular economy. The objective is zero waste – in other words, no production of any nonrecyclable waste at all”, explains Julia Bulling, Product Compliance Manager TÜV SÜD Management Service. “We are happy that by opting for certification in accordance with DIN SPEC 91436, Lidl in the Czech Republic has taken a big step towards a zero-waste future and is now planning the same vision in other countries too.”

“Waste is simply recyclables that are in the wrong place. To restore their function as high-quality raw materials, systematic waste and recyclables management must be established throughout the entire economy. The new specification enables such a management system to be optimised with the aim of realising the zero-waste vision”, explains Dietmar Boehm, Managing Director PreZero Dual, Intragroup Services and New Business. Lidl in the Czech Republic completed the audit and achieved Gold status, the highest possible maturity level. This means that at least 95 per cent of the relative total amount of waste is avoided, re-used, recycled, composted or fermented. The on-site audit was performed in a representative sample of stores and logistics centres and was based on Lidl CZ’s available documentation on waste and recyclable management.

By supplying certification in accordance with DIN SPEC 91436, TÜV SÜD offers a new reference model for operational waste and recyclables management to private-sector companies, public organisations, municipalities, communities, societies and associations, foundations and other organisations. Initiated by PreZero, the standard was developed last year by a consortium of representatives from NGOs, science, business and industry. TÜV SÜD Management Service GmbH was also a partner in this consortium. The specification targets all companies and organisations seeking to align their waste and recyclables management to the vision of zero waste and to obtain certification.

The objective of sustainable waste management in accordance with DIN SPEC 91436 is to minimise residues, recycle unavoidable waste in the best possible manner and measure the maturity of waste and recyclable management. The scope of the new industry standard goes beyond the legal minimum. In order to continuously reduce the residual waste rate, the specification takes a holistic approach to sustainability. In addition to DIN SPEC 91436 certification, there are further compatible standards addressing this area. For example, the specification shares many interfaces with the environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001, which has been recognised worldwide as the standard for environmental management systems. Other compatible standards include ISO 50001 (energy management) and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety).

For further information please contact: www.tuvsud.com.

Caption (from left to right): Marcus Bocklisch (PreZero, Head of Team Certification & CO2-/LifeCycle-Assessment), Juergen Pfitzner (TÜV SÜD, Department Head Food and Feed), Robert Kees (TÜV SÜD, Head of Global Sales and Marketing), Michal Vopelák (Lidl CZ, Consultant Waste- and Recyclingmanagement National), Pavlina Hlavinkova (TÜV SÜD, auditor CZ) and Oana Valerica Lazaroiu (PreZero, Consultant Waste- and Recyclingmanagement International). Photo: Morris Media s.r.o.