COZINHA CONTINENTE AND GO NATURAL PROMOTE THE USE OF REUSABLE PACKAGING IN THEIR RESTAURANTS
‘Cozinha Continente’ and ‘Go Natural’, MC’s brands, are implementing a pilot and pioneering project in their restaurants to promote the reuse of takeaway packaging. A more sustainable alternative to current disposable packaging, more economical and equally convenient for the consumer.
This initiative is being developed in partnership with ‘Vytal’, a European leader in reuse solutions for food solutions.
As part of the pilot project, the solution will be available at some ‘Go Natural’ restaurants in the Lisbon area (Centro Comercial Vasco da Gama and Alegro Alfragide) and at the ‘Cozinha Continente’ restaurants of Telheiras and Amadora, being the last one due to open in the coming weeks.
When picking up the take-away order, customers can choose to take their meal through this free system, which in addition to being better for the planet, avoids charging the fee of 0.30€ to which single-use plastic take-away packages are subject (as of July 1st, 2022).
To do this, customers simply need to download the ‘Vytal’ app and read the QR-code of the package they are taking. After use, customers must return the package to one of the 4 participating restaurants, within a maximum period of 14 days, without any associated cost. If the packaging isn’t returned during this period, or customers choose to keep the package, they will be charged an amount of 10 euros. The cleanliness of the packaging is guaranteed by the restaurants, so that they can be reused again.
‘Vytal’ containers are made of polypropylene (PP), a recyclable plastic, and are available in three sizes (and also in a reusable packaging version for pizza, in the ‘Cozinha Continente’ restaurants) and are intended to be an alternative to disposable packaging, reducing waste and residue. The packages can be reused up to 200 times.
According to Ana Alves, responsible for the Food Solutions area at MC, “sustainability is also synonymous with risking, daring and challenging. It takes courage to do something different. For this reason, we decided to implement this initiative in our restaurants, in partnership with ‘Vytal’, encouraging our customers to play an active role in this challenge, which belongs to everyone.
With this project, we reinforce our commitment to people and the planet, enhancing the reuse of packaging in the ‘Cozinha Continente’ and ‘Go Natural’ restaurants and promoting its circularity, making it possible to return these packages to any of the restaurants of both brands”.
Circularity is one of the pillars of MC’s Sustainability Strategy, which, as such, over the past few years, has been transforming its packaging in a very significant way, ensuring its recyclability and promoting the incorporation of recycled material. In addition, MC has been working to promote the reuse of packaging, with the ambition to ensure that by 2025 all its packaging will be recyclable or reusable.
‘Cozinha Continente’ is an MC brand that recovers the flavour and origin of traditional Portuguese recipes and delivers food ready to be enjoyed, whether at restaurants, at the service and takeaway counters in stores, or to order on Continente Online and on home delivery platforms.
‘Go Natural’, created in 2004, aims to make food the motto and inspiration for a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, for everyone. The brand presents recipes full of flavour, with natural and whole ingredients, without additives and preservatives, with solutions adapted to every moment of the day, such as the cafeteria offer and ready-to-take food.
This initiative is being developed in partnership with ‘Vytal’, a European leader in reuse solutions for food solutions.
As part of the pilot project, the solution will be available at some ‘Go Natural’ restaurants in the Lisbon area (Centro Comercial Vasco da Gama and Alegro Alfragide) and at the ‘Cozinha Continente’ restaurants of Telheiras and Amadora, being the last one due to open in the coming weeks.
When picking up the take-away order, customers can choose to take their meal through this free system, which in addition to being better for the planet, avoids charging the fee of 0.30€ to which single-use plastic take-away packages are subject (as of July 1st, 2022).
To do this, customers simply need to download the ‘Vytal’ app and read the QR-code of the package they are taking. After use, customers must return the package to one of the 4 participating restaurants, within a maximum period of 14 days, without any associated cost. If the packaging isn’t returned during this period, or customers choose to keep the package, they will be charged an amount of 10 euros. The cleanliness of the packaging is guaranteed by the restaurants, so that they can be reused again.
‘Vytal’ containers are made of polypropylene (PP), a recyclable plastic, and are available in three sizes (and also in a reusable packaging version for pizza, in the ‘Cozinha Continente’ restaurants) and are intended to be an alternative to disposable packaging, reducing waste and residue. The packages can be reused up to 200 times.
According to Ana Alves, responsible for the Food Solutions area at MC, “sustainability is also synonymous with risking, daring and challenging. It takes courage to do something different. For this reason, we decided to implement this initiative in our restaurants, in partnership with ‘Vytal’, encouraging our customers to play an active role in this challenge, which belongs to everyone.
With this project, we reinforce our commitment to people and the planet, enhancing the reuse of packaging in the ‘Cozinha Continente’ and ‘Go Natural’ restaurants and promoting its circularity, making it possible to return these packages to any of the restaurants of both brands”.
Circularity is one of the pillars of MC’s Sustainability Strategy, which, as such, over the past few years, has been transforming its packaging in a very significant way, ensuring its recyclability and promoting the incorporation of recycled material. In addition, MC has been working to promote the reuse of packaging, with the ambition to ensure that by 2025 all its packaging will be recyclable or reusable.
‘Cozinha Continente’ is an MC brand that recovers the flavour and origin of traditional Portuguese recipes and delivers food ready to be enjoyed, whether at restaurants, at the service and takeaway counters in stores, or to order on Continente Online and on home delivery platforms.
‘Go Natural’, created in 2004, aims to make food the motto and inspiration for a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, for everyone. The brand presents recipes full of flavour, with natural and whole ingredients, without additives and preservatives, with solutions adapted to every moment of the day, such as the cafeteria offer and ready-to-take food.