Interview with Peter Mego
Mr. Peter Mego has been working in the field of logistics of the discount chain LIDL for 12 years. Over the course of these 12 years and while working as a transport manager for the logistics center he gained numerous and valuable experience. A very important was just-in-time transport of food experience that he could then utilize as the Head of the Transport Logistics Department at the same logistics center. Mr. Mego took over the position of head of the logistics department at the company’s headquarters in 2017 and took over the topics of warehousing and waste logistics. Since April 2021, he has been in charge of the logistics department of LIDL in Slovakia. |
| 1. In the long run, you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint and reduce water risks in the supply chain. Tell us about these sustainable and water strategies. Climate change is threatening our livelihoods and demands action at every level of society. Lidl Slovakia has been committed to improving climate protection for years through various measures. We are now taking a decisive step forward and setting ourselves ambitious, scientific climate targets — known as science-based targets. In August 2020, the Schwarz Group made a commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative on behalf of all parts of the company. Over the coming months, we will define specific targets and measures with the aim of avoiding, reducing or compensating for CO2 emissions in operations and in the supply chain. As a food retailer, Lidl takes its responsibility to sustainably use water within its supply chain seriously and works in the area of water management to initiate changes. Lidl wants to actively involve its customers in the topic of water and raise awareness for this topic. You can find out about our water policy strategy in our public Position Paper: https://www.spolocenskazodpovednost.sk/aktualita/zivotne-prostredie/stanovisko-k-vodnej-politike-pri-nakupe-obchodneho-tovaru 2. In the spring of 2018, Lidl set ambitious goals to reduce the volume of plastics in its facilities by at least 20% and to make 100 % of our private label packaging maximum recyclable by 2025. How do you manage to meet these goals? Transport and packaging materials are essential for Lidl’s core business of food trading. As part of the Schwarz Group, our company is fully aware that anyone who introduces plastic into their cycle is also responsible for its reuse. And we are no exception. With this in mind, the Schwarz Group has long committed itself to collecting, sorting and recycling these resources. Our vision of “Less plastic – closed cycles” is also closely monitored from an economic point of view. The Schwarz Group wants to be a driving force for innovation in this area and has therefore set ambitious goals mentioned above. In addition, in 2018 the Schwarz Group joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global commitment to the “New Plastics Economy.” In order to implement the set goals, the Schwarz Group presented a new strategy for plastics, called REset Plastic, in 2018. It is based on five key principles: |
REduce – We reduce – wherever sustainably possible – plastic. |
- Specific activities in Lidl Slovakia in this area: delisting single use plastic; introducing reusable mash bags (fruit and vegetables); delisting disposable carrier bags; reduction and modification of packaging of several products in cooperation with our suppliers (eg diapers, french fries, mineral waters)
| REdesign – We design recyclable packaging and close loops. |
- Specific activities in Lidl Slovakia in this area: Introduction of special logo on our products „Packaging Responsibly“
| REcycle – We collect, sort and recycle plastic to close loops. |
- Specific activities in Lidl Slovakia in this area: We consider all recyclable materials in our business operations are treated as valuable commodities that bring environmental benefits to our company. In the 2020 business year, we once again sorted virtually all of the packaging materials that we use for transportation and that remain in our stores and at our logistics centers – paper, cardboard, film, glass, plastic and wood.
| Remove – We support the removal of plastic waste from the environment. |
- Specific activities in Lidl Slovakia in this area: Our project „Nenechajme to plávať“ (Let´s not let it float )- voluntary charging for microtene bags for fruit and vegetables. We clean Slovak watercourses and reservoirs from the proceeds from the sale.
| Research – We invest in research and the development of innovative solutions and educate on recycling |
- Specific activities in Lidl Slovakia in this area: Educating customers, innovating and finding new solutions with our suppliers (eg a bottle containing recycled plastic).
Lidl, as part of the Schwarz Group, makes a significant contribution to the implementation of the REset Plastic strategy We communicate our goals publicly in our Position Papers on responsible purchasing: https://www.spolocenskazodpovednost.sk/sortiment/mantra-spolocenskej-zodpovednosti |
 | Lidl, part of the Schwarz retail group based in Neckarsulm, is one of the leading retail companies in Germany and Europe. Lidl is represented in 30 countries and currently operates approximately 10,500 stores and more than 150 distribution centers in 29 countries around the world.
The sales network throughout Slovakia consists of 150 stores, which supply three logistics centers in Nemšová, Prešov and Sered. Since the beginning of Lidl’s operations in Slovakia, the company’s central management for the Slovak market, together with the Czech market, has been in Prague. In 2011, the Slovak part of Lidl completed the process of independence and established its headquarters in Bratislava.
www.lidl.sk |