First certification according to DIN SPEC 91436 at Lidl CZ
Neckarsulm, October 26, 2022. Together with a consortium of NGOs, science, and business, PreZero developed a new DIN standard for the development of sustainable waste and recyclable materials management last year. Now, certification according to DIN SPEC 91436 has been successfully implemented for the first time at Lidl in the Czech Republic (CZ) by TÜV SÜD. The aim of the new DIN standard “Reference model for operational waste and recyclables management oriented towards a vision of zero waste” is to minimize non-recyclable waste and ensure optimal recycling and disposal. The specification is directed at all companies and organizations that generate waste and can align their waste and recyclable materials management with the vision of “Zero Waste” and have this certified.
The initiative goes back to PreZero, the environmental division of the Schwarz Group. “For us, waste is a recyclable material that is in the wrong place. To turn waste into something new again, the entire economy needs systematic waste and recyclables management. This can be optimized with the new standard in order to implement a vision of 'Zero Waste'," says Dietmar Böhm, Member of the Board PreZero International. In a first step, four pilot countries of the retail divisions Lidl and Kaufland were selected for this purpose, which now want to limit their non-recyclable waste in their own company to a maximum of 5 %*.
After an internal audit in May 2022, the world's first certification according to DIN SPEC 91436 has now been successfully implemented in Lidl CZ by TÜV SÜD. "As an independent testing and certification service provider, TÜV SÜD protects people, the environment and material assets from technical risks. The development of DIN SPEC 91436 is an important part for fulfilling this mission. We are pleased that our customers PreZero and Lidl Czech Republic are now certified to this standard for the first time," says Julia Bulling, Product Compliance Manager TÜV SÜD Management Service. The audit was carried out on site in a representative sample of stores and logistics centers, and on the basis of Lidl CZ's existing waste and recyclables management documentation. All requirements of DIN SPEC 91436 were implemented in the best possible way and the audit was completed with the highest maturity level "Gold".
CEO Zdeněk Jerie at Lidl Czech Republic is proud: "We are pleased to be seen as a pioneer for a future-oriented and sustainable waste and recyclables management in our country through the certification. The appreciation from the audit drives us to maintain and even improve this quality in the future." The next step will be to complete the certification processes in three additional pilot countries.
The topic is embedded in the Zero Waste Commitment of the Schwarz Group's sustainability strategy. You can find out more about the Group's sustainability topics here. You can find more information about PreZero in our press portal.
