As part of its sustainability vision of zero waste, Mibelle Group is constantly looking for new ways to avoid or recycle waste. Supply chain managers do everything they can to generate no, or very little waste, with careful and accurate production planning. So far, however, we have not quite managed to achieve zero waste. There are always surplus products as a result of adjusting the manufacturing machine settings, damaged deliveries, or specific customer requirements, such as deliveries per pallet. In recent months, Mibelle Group has therefore investigated cooperation with charities Caritas and Tischlein deck dich.
Poverty in Switzerland on the rise
590,000 people in Switzerland are living in poverty. These people live on a minimum income and can only afford the bare essentials. To help them, Caritas has set up Caritas markets and private association Tischlein deck dich has organised distribution centres, where people experiencing financial hardship can obtain food and household essentials.
We are delighted that it has been possible to get this cooperation underway easily and successfully in just two months. We now pass on three tonnes of shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste and creams to Caritas and Tischlein deck dich, free of charge, every year. We look at this option with each customer individually and it is ultimately the customer’s decision whether to pass on its products in this way. It goes without saying that the surplus products are perfect and comply with all regulations and hygiene standards. They are neither damaged, nor out of date and the contents are exactly as stated in the ingredients on the packaging.
Further use for cosmetic products – a win-win situation all round
On presenting an access card, those affected by poverty can shop at rock-bottom prices from the 21 Caritas markets and buy for a symbolic one franc, once a week, from Tischlein deck dich’s 100 distribution points. The access card, which is available exclusively from social services departments, ensures that only those living in poverty can access the offers.
The surplus products are packed into boxes and then stacked on pallets. Once a week, lorries chartered by Caritas and Tischlein deck dich travel to Buchs, in the canton of Aargau, and transports the pallets to Caritas’ central warehouse at Sempach Station, or to Tischlein deck dich’s distribution centre in Winterthur for onward distribution.
We are very pleased that we are able to pass on surplus products for a good purpose in this way. Our employees are also providing us with very good feedback regarding this logical solution. Nevertheless, we will continue our efforts towards achieving our vision of zero waste.
