GPA changes fruits and vegetables polystyrene packages for a biodegrading alternative

Taeq and Qualitá products will no longer be packed with plastic

GPA is planning to replace, until the end of the year, the polystyrene trays used in fruits and vegetable packaging in their own brands, Taeq and Qualitá, in the State of São Paulo. The new solution will be completely biodegrading, developed from cellulose and starch to Extra and Pão de Açúcar stores.

The material used in the new packaging takes up to six months to be completely degraded, reducing residues in the environment. Moreover, the new trays have the objective of eliminating more than 600 thousand unities made from polystyrene, PVC, PET and other plastics.

Even Taeq and Qualitá’s eggs packaging will be replaced with the same cellulose and starch solution. Following the novelties in their product’s appearance at the stores, GPA has also changed the presentation of the organic bananas of their own brand, Taeq. From now on, the product will be sold with specifications, with less packaging.

The end of lines

In addition to the novelties regarding the products of their own brand, GPA has started the tests for implementing the technology of paying for the groceries without passing through lines. So far, the innovation is limited to the associates of Grupo Pão de Açúcar that works at the company’s Headquarters in São Paulo.

The technology scans the product’s bar code and makes the payment through the “Pão de Açúcar Mais” app. Still without an official date to arrive at the stores, but GPA expects that until the end of 2019, five stores will have the technology available.

Speaking about self-checkout, another company that invests in technology in this way is Zebu Carnes Supermercados. One of their stores in Minas Gerais was redesigned with the purpose of being 100% focused on self-service. Moreover, the meat department, which is the chain’s differential, is offering now all sorts of cuts, sizes and types of meat.