Kibsons, the UAE’s homegrown e-commerce grocery store, has announced a new sustainability initiative, as the purpose-driven company advances its commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

As COP28 places sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) at the forefront of global conversations, businesses are reevaluating their environmental footprint.

Do you ever consider the number of trees behind a single Kibsons box? Each tree yields approximately 70 boxes, and with Kibsons using nearly 200,000 boxes monthly, the environmental cost is staggering.

These figures highlight the urgency of resource-conscious decisions, as every box represents more than packaging - it symbolises a tangible environmental impact.

Acknowledging this, Kibsons has actively explored sustainable alternatives to reduce its reliance on natural resources, aligning its practices with the shared vision of a greener future.

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Building on over a decade of commitment to sustainability progress, Kibsons has made environmental commitment a key pillar within its ESG strategy, charting an ambitious path forward in its purpose and long-term vision.

In a significant step towards its sustainability goals, Kibsons has already started to phase out its blue cardboard boxes used to transport and deliver items from the store to the customer.

As of November 2024, these boxes have been replaced with reusable crates that will transport food directly to customers' doorsteps, where they can easily unload their orders. In addition, sustainable eco-wrap has been introduced to safely transport fragile items such as eggs.

The iconic Kibsons blue cardboard box is still available to customers for purchase through the website or app.

In a transparent move, Kibsons is sharing the impact of the blue box with its customers and stakeholders to highlight the importance of making the switch:

Kibsons has been grappling with a significant challenge: the recycling return rate stands at approximately 40 percent. This low return has led to the continuous creation of new boxes, which has a substantial environmental impact.

As the cardboard boxes are gradually phased out, the brand has implemented a more sustainable delivery method using brown paper bags as a temporary solution, with one tree producing approximately 700 bags, that are 100% recyclable.

The move will save the equivalent of 2,142 trees per month. Over the course of a year, this figure rises to a total of 25,704 trees.

Kibsons is known as a leading name in the UAE for farm-to-fork grocery delivery, with a consistent and key focus on environmentally friendly food systems and processes since 1980.

To further support and enhance the way UAE consumers shop their food and promote smarter, more sustainable choices for a healthier planet, the evolution of the blue box is just one of many initiatives Kibsons has pioneered.

Halima Jumani, CEO of Kibsons, said: “Kibsons has become synonymous with the iconic blue cardboard box, and while we take immense pride in this legacy, we recognise the need to grow and evolve.

“Sustainability is at the heart of our business, and we are continually seeking ways to enhance our operations and minimise our environmental impact.

"Although we have always encouraged our customers to reuse and recycle our blue cardboard boxes, we understand that this isn't always feasible.

“Currently, only a small percentage of these boxes are returned for recycling. This reality has compelled us to rethink our approach and significantly reduce our reliance on this vital resource.”

Kibsons sustainability initiatives

Kibsons is on a mission to be the number one choice for ‘Sustainable Grocery Shopping’ and here are just a few of the brand’s most recent initiatives:

SOLAR: A 50% reduction in electricity use. Spanning over the Kibsons 13,000-metre facility, electricity consumption is reduced by 25% on average annually, with 50% in winter months.

WATER: 75% of water reused. The Kibsons water recycling plant is on track to recycle more than 75%

of the water used to keep the demanding cold storage facility up and running. Did you know that by

filtering and purifying the water utilised, Kibsons can save 1,000,000 gallons of water annually?

WASTE: 100% organic waste composted. Kibsons organic waste composting plant converts their biodegradable waste material into high-quality organic compost and contributes to reducing their carbon footprint towards landfills wherever possible - producing half a ton of recycled compost per month.

RECYCLE: 90% of plastic and paper is recycled by Kibsons. More than 90% of all plastic at the Kibsons facility is recycled.

FOOD WASTE: To further prevent food waste, Kibsons offer an ‘ugly but tasty’ range of fruits and vegetables which allows customers to purchase imperfect or nearing-expiration produce at a discounted rate.

Kibsons was the first company in the UAE to swap over to paper-based packaging and enable consumers to choose a ‘no packaging’ delivery option when they shop.

The move away from the blue cardboard box is set to further empower customers to shop with confidence at Kibsons – a brand dedicated to supporting the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy and doing its part to support in achieving its sustainability goals.

In April 2024, Kibsons announced that it had joined the United Nations Global Compact and committed to aligning its business practices with universal sustainability principles.

Finding an alternative to the blue box is a major step towards these goals.

Sustainability initiatives have been gaining momentum in the UAE over recent months in the aftermath of the climate change summit COP28 which was convened in Dubai in 2023 and the subsequent COP28 UAE Declaration on climate and health.

Kibsons vision for a sustainable future is rooted in actionable goals and a commitment to turning aspirations into reality - one eco-conscious step at a time.

By focusing on tangible changes, such as reducing waste and embracing innovative packaging solutions, Kibsons continues to lead by example.

Every box, every vessel, and every initiative represents a bold move toward a more sustainable future, reaffirming their promise to create meaningful impact, one box at a time.

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