METRO : Single Use Plastic Policy

Single-Use Plastics Policy

Contents
1.	Introduction .....................................................................................................................	3
2.	Objective .........................................................................................................................	3
3.	Scope..............................................................................................................................	4
4.	Target..............................................................................................................................	4
5.	Reporting ........................................................................................................................	6
6.	Policy framework .............................................................................................................	6
	6.1	Environmental/science-basedtargets ..................................................................	6
	6.2	Packaging ..................................................................................................................	6
	6.3	Human Rights Policy and Code of Conduct .........................................................	6
7.	Action plan 2025..............................................................................................................	7
	7.1	Certification...............................................................................................................	7
	7.2	Partnerships..............................................................................................................	7
	7.3	Projects......................................................................................................................	8
Annex 1: Product scope .......................................................................................................	10
Annex 2: Alternative materials ..............................................................................................	12
Annex 3: Certification ...........................................................................................................	13
Annex 4: Glossary ................................................................................................................	14

Page 2 of 15

1. Introduction

Within the last 50 years, global plastic production has increased from 15 million tonnes to 370 million tonnes per year, and it is expected to double over the next 20 years. The ways in which plastics are currently produced, used, and discarded have a major impact on the environment, for instance in the form of landfill and marine pollution. A transformation to a new plastics economy is key to stopping the trend that, by 2050, would otherwise cause us to find more plastic in the oceans than fish, in terms of weight.

We support more than 16 million customers worldwide. Many of them work in hotels, restaurants, and the food service industry, where plastic articles are often indispensable for reasons of logistics, food safety and food waste prevention.

For now, a complete ban on plastics cannot be our goal. Single-use plastic products fulfil an important function with a view to food safety and hygiene, playing a major role at large-scale events, for example. Therefore, our main aim is to offer our range of single-use items in a more sustainable framework by achieving improved resource efficiency and reducing their plastic footprint.

METRO supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, with its commitment to sustainability, strive to achieve the global agenda. For this policy, the following goals are particularly relevant:

• SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production)
• SDG 13 (Climate action)
• SDG 14 (Life below water)
• SDG 15 (Life on land)
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals)

2. Objective

As disposables and especially single-use plastic items are an important element of the company's business, METRO takes responsibility at various stages of the value chain.

With this policy, METRO wants to go beyond what legislation prescribes and seeks to expand the sustainability of its range of single-use items.

Therefore, METRO strives to:

• Decrease the share of disposables and transform them into reusable models if applicable
• Where reusable options are not feasible, we offer single-use solutions made from alternative materials that are recyclable or compostable

Page 3 of 15

3. Scope

The METRO Single-Use Plastics Policy applies to the following scopes:

Operational scope

All METRO operations in all countries, including International Trading Offices, Rungis Express, Classic Fine Foods and Pro à Pro (for these operations and certain country operations, alternative timelines may apply).

Brand scope

Focus is on Own Brand (Private Label) and no-name brand single use products as well as Producer Brand products - purchased and sold by METRO.

In addition, we will also work with industry partners and other stakeholders on systematic changes towards sustainable single use products.

Product scope

METRO will focus in a first step on near food products in accordance with Annex 1 purchased and sold by METRO.

Important note: the list of products is not an exhaustive list; countries need to extend the scope to their specific market and legal requirements if necessary.

4. Target

By end of 2025, we will empower our customers' businesses to move into a 100% future without any conventional single-use plastics and constantly increase resource efficiency.

We achieve this by

• Providing reusable, recyclable, and compostable alternatives only ▪ Supporting our customers in this phase-out
  ▪ Advocating the movement towards a circular economy regarding plastic

To achieve the target of offering single-use solutions made from alternative materials that are recyclable or compostable in its own-brand and branded products, METRO refers to the following schemes:

Products/product packaging (primary and secondary) made from paper and wood

• The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)

Page 4 of 15

Industrially compostable 1products

• DIN-GeprüftIndustrial Compostable
• TÜV AUSTRIA industrial compostable
• CIC industrial compostable

Home-compostable products

• DIN-GeprüftHome Compostable
• TÜV AUSTIRA home compostable

Addition for METRO own brands

If one of the above-mentioned certified logos is on the back of the packaging, the METRO internal packaging logo for home-compostable or industrially compostable products may be used on the front.

For claiming something compostable there must be a certification. In that effect we are open to accepting any local eco-label equivalent to the above certification standards.

We are living in times where the 'take, make, waste' industrial model has reached its limits. METRO is fully committed to the transition to a more circular economy, where the value of products, materials and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as possible and the generation of waste is minimised.

1 At METRO we recommend using Home compostable products. Home compostable is proven to be the better solution in practice as industrially compostable products need to be collected and properly treated in a specific facility. (Also see Annex 4)

Page 5 of 15