Actions to sustain the environment

Les Mousquetaires have been active in environmental protection for many years. In 1995, a subsidiary company was set up to carry out work in this field. Today, a single organisation (QSE) is responsible for the three themes essential for a policy of sustainable development: quality, safety and the environment:

Cardboard recycling: cardboard is collected at the outlets, then stored at the warehouses for sale to paper manufacturers who recycle it.

Target for 2006: 96,000 tonnes of recycled cardboard

Battery recycling: Les Mousquetaires have signed an agreement with an independent recycler, SA CITRON, which in 1999 received the support of the Ministry of the Environment. The batteries are recycled using a pyrometallurgical process. This agreement has been renewed by the public authorities until 2006.
All the residues are sold for the manufacture of measuring equipment and special steels. The batteries are therefore 100% recycled. Battery collection bins are located at the store entrances. Today, we are the leading recycling retailer.

Target for 2006: 700 tonnes of recycled batteries

Shopping bags : Les Mousquetaires have stopped distributing disposable shopping bags since January 2006.

The complete discontinuation of the distribution of disposable shopping bags is the outcome of a drive that began in April 2005 with the introduction in our shops of reusable shopping bags that can be exchanged for ever.

A flexible polyethylene bag: that is practical to use and corresponds roughly to the volume of shopping packed by an average shopper. This bag, which is sold at a recommended retail price of €0.10, can be exchanged for free for an indefinite period.

A biodegradable bag: a strong bag that meets environmental concerns. It is particularly well-suited to retail outlets in coastal or protected areas. It decomposes in about two months if it ends up in the environment. This bag, which is sold at a recommended retail price of €0.30, can be exchanged for free for an indefinite period

A reinforced polypropylene handle-bag: very strong and practical for weekly shopping. Shoppers need two of these to pack up a full trolley of shopping. This bag, which is sold at a recommended retail price of €0.59, can be exchanged for free for an indefinite period.

A cooler bag: very effective in keeping frozen food and ice creams and handy for transporting large-sized products. Recommended retail price €1.65.

  Training: All our employees are trained in good environmental practices. In addition, manuals are distributed in the outlets, such as the guide for waste treatment for Roady, which includes the relevant regulations and service providers, the environmental regulations guide for Bricomarché and Logimarché, and a service station passport for Intermarché and Ecomarché.

Selective sorting: Since 2001, the employees in Les Mousquetaires' head office (1,800 people) have been contributing to waste management and sorting. The waste cardboard, paper, plastic bottles and cartridges all have their own collection bins and recovery circuit.