Our milestones
Sustainability has been integral to our business activity for decades. These milestones testify to this and we work hard on new projects each year.
2023
In 1993, Coop launched the Coop Naturaplan brand in co-operation with Bio Suisse. For thirty years, Coop has been committed to environmentally and animal-friendly products and sustainable projects via this own-label brand. With a total of 8,700 organic products, including 5,000 organic food products and 3,800 products with the Bio Suisse Bud label, Coop currently offers the largest range of organic products in the Swiss retail market.
In 2023, the Coop Group recorded and disclosed its CO2e footprint. Based on this data, a detailed reduction plan with specific projects to reduce emissions is being developed for the entire Coop Group.
Coop is launching a sales outlet in Deisswil BE that will be managed by apprentices for an entire year. In their third year of basic training, the apprentices will take on all activities related to running the store.
On 21 September 2023, Coop welcomed around 150 business partners and suppliers to the Business Partner Conference at the Umwelt Arena in Spreitenbach. The event focused on how to achieve the net zero target by 2050 at the latest. The importance of sustainable action, which is firmly ingrained at Coop, was reaffirmed by Coop and the participants through concrete commitments to CO2e emissions reduction.
Since 2023, Coop has offered employees the opportunity to enter various professions via a career transition programme. Employees benefit from good, free training with full pay. The training programmes last 9 and 12 months and are certified internally.
As part of its strategy with respect to living wages and incomes, Coop is committed to paying a price for Naturaplan Fairtrade organic coffee in Mexico and Peru that will enable farmers to earn a living income.
2022
With our palm oil strategy, we are reaching another milestone and eliminating conventional palm oil from our entire range of dough and fresh baked goods. We use Bio Suisse-certified palm oil or do without it completely.
We present the Coop Group's new sustainability strategy for 2022-2026. To this end, we have recorded and analysed the expectations of our stakeholders and used them to develop a strategy with concrete objectives for the entire Coop Group.
Since 1992, we have been working together with Fairtrade Max Havelaar to improve incomes and living conditions in our supplier countries. For the 30-year anniversary of the partnership, we are expanding our Fairtrade range to a total of 1 333 products.
In 2022, the Coop Aid for Mountain Regions celebrated its 80-year anniversary. Thanks to donors’ support and solidarity, the sponsorship
programme has been able to support people in the Swiss mountain regions for 80 years. Coop covers all administrative costs.
We do not automatically print receipts at any of our checkouts. By only printing receipts as needed, we can save over 400 tonnes of paper annually. Supercard
customers can also view their receipt digitally.
2021
In 2021, we published our first digital sustainability progress report for the entire Coop Group, providing detailed and transparent information on the achievement
of our sustainability goals.
To expand our zero waste offer, we launched the first refilling points for mineral water and beer. At the refilling points, people can pour their drinks themselves. Our commitment to decrease packaging will see us reduce plastic in packaging for own-brand products and disposables by another 20% by 2026.
Our coffee range in the coffee machines in Coop supermarkets and Coop restaurants is Bio Suisse-certified. This includes not only the coffee beans, but also the milk, coffee cream and sugar. The coffee range at the coffee machines thus meets the highest standards in terms of fairness and environmental awareness.
On 29 May 2021, we held the "day of good deeds" for the second time. The day was a great success and many good deeds were done nationwide. On this day,
families, organizations and associations got involved for the benefit of society and the environment.
With our contribution, Switzerland is forging ahead. In 2021, together with the SBB, we put a locomotive on the rails for one year that showcased the sustainability campaign "Tatendrang". We are committed to shifting transport from road to rail.
2020
We introduced a project for living wages in the Dominican Republic together with Fairtrade Max Havelaar. With additional projects, we are pursuing our goal of improving the income situation of smallholder farmers.
2020
As a hydrogen pioneer, we are going one step further and commissioning seven of the world's first mass-produced hydrogen-powered trucks in 2020.
2020
Our new packaging roadmap summarizes our efforts in the area of packaging reduction: Packaging is due to be optimized and, by 2026, we should be saving around 20% of plastic in packaging and single-use items.
2020
We were the first major retailer in Switzerland to be certified for our commitment to fair wages. The «Fair Compensation» certificate confirms that our remuneration policy satisfies the criteria for compliance with fair wages.
2020
25 years of Coop Naturaline: Since 1995, we have focused on environmentally and socially responsible textile production with Coop Naturaline. Today, Naturaline offers the world's largest range of fair and environmentally-friendly organic cotton textiles.
2019
Coop has extended its successful long-term partnership with WWF. We have commitments in the areas of fish, palm oil, soya, timber and paper. We also undertake joint projects with the aim of saving energy and reducing and offsetting CO2 emissions.
2019
The WWF has given Switzerland's most important wholesaler and retailer a new environmental rating. Coop has risen further up the rankings since the last rating in 2015 in almost every area of action.
2019
On Saturday, 25 May 2019, Coop called for the first «Day of good deeds». Hundreds of thousands of volunteers took part in the «Day of good deeds» and displayed their solidarity with their fellow humans and their environment.
2019
Coop customers will find even more plastic-free alternatives and products without packaging on our shelves. Since 2012, we have reduced or environmentally optimized around 30 000 tonnes of packaging materials.
2018
Coop is increasing the minimum requirements for the production of conventional milk. Swiss farmers will also benefit from this change, as the new milk programme will guarantee them a higher income.
2018
Coop is in the leading group (Tier 1) of the international Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) for the fifth time in a row.
2018
We are starting our palm oil offensive and will in future also use organic palm oil from systematically sustainable production in our conventional own-label brands too.
2018
25 years of Naturaplan: we are celebrating the birthday of our largest own-label sustainability brand with numerous measures and the launch of over 350 new Naturaplan products.
2018
In January 2018, Coop joined the «Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa». The newly-founded association is committed to ensuring that, in future, the majority of all imported products containing cocoa are sustainably produced.
2017
For the second time, we are officially named the world's most sustainable retailer. Oekom Research reviewed and rated 148 retailers around the world based on around 100 criteria.
2017
We have worked with the Max Havelaar Foundation for 25 years and have been a Fairtrade partner since the outset.
2017
We were the first retailer to develop a water standard that governs the sustainable use of water in agriculture.
2016
Since 2016, all fish and seafood has come from 100 % sustainable sources – whether fresh, frozen, tinned or in the restaurant.
2016
At Railcare, we are introducing a world first: we now chill our food with electricity generated via the axles while in transit.
2016
As in 2013 we again achieve an excellent score in the «Animal Welfare in Retail 2015/2016» report of Swiss Animal Protection (SAP).
2016
We open Switzerland’s first public hydrogen filling station in Hunzenschwil (AG). At the same time the first hydrogen-powered truck and several company cars are integrated into our fleet.
2016
Wholesale is setting new standards in terms of sustainability and developing the Transgourmet own-label brand «Ursprung» into a Group-wide own-label sustainability brand.
2015
Our Fairtrade growth strategy reaches the half-way point. The goal is to switch all raw materials from developing and emerging countries to fair trade by 2020.
2015
Start of strategic partnership with the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) for even closer collaboration.
2015
Our environmentally friendly non-food own-label brand Oecoplan is recommended by WWF, the internationally renowned nature and environment protection organization.
2015
We support the «Sustainable Construction Network Switzerland» (NNBS) construction standard, the first standard in Switzerland to take account of all facets of sustainable construction.
2014
25th anniversary of Coop Oecoplan with the launch of 239 products as part of a dual branding initiative with brand manufacturers, and an increase in sales to CHF 142 million.
2014
The first Green Business Partner Conference to raise awareness among our business partners for a greater commitment to sustainability and launch of more than 300 joint projects.
2014
Participation in the Fairtrade cocoa programme by Fairtrade Max Havelaar, which involves switching more than 100 additional chocolate products to fairly traded cocoa.
2014
Start of field trial of dual-purpose chickens.
2013
Approval of the multi-year sustainability targets for 2014-2020 for the entire Coop Group.
2013
20-year anniversary of Coop Naturaplan and increase in sales of organic products to over CHF 1 billion.
2013
Confirmation of excellent performance in animal protection in a study by Swiss Animal Protection (SAP) and the International «Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare» (BBFAW).
2013
Awarded the «Zurich Climate Prize» for RailCare.
2012
Coop Naturaline is named by Sustainia as one of the world's 100 most sustainable solutions for the future.
2012
Over 98 percent of the seafood range (fish and seafood) is switched to sustainable products.
2012
Takeover of Frutigen and Wolhusen greenhouses with restaurant, exhibitions and production.
2011
Declared the world's most sustainable retailer by Oekom Research AG.
2011
The Coop sustainability report receives an Öbu prize for the third time (previous awards in 2005 and 2007).
2011
Awarded the «Goldener Zuckerhut» (Golden Sugarloaf) for pioneering work in the field of sustainability.
2011
Changeover begins of high-turnover Coop Qualité & Prix product ranges to Fairtrade raw materials.
2011
A programme is launched to reduce and optimize packaging for Coop own-label brands.
2011
Switzerland's first wood-burning furnace for an industrial bakery reduces CO2 emissions by 70 percent.
2010
New Logistics and Bakery Strategy 2015+ reduces annual CO2 emissions by 4 800 tonnes thanks partly to unaccompanied combined transport.
2010
Abandons nuclear power and converts to 100 percent low CO2-emission hydroelectric power from Switzerland and Europe.
2010
First Coop supermarket exclusively lit by LED lighting
2009
Coop sustainability strategy agreed and integrated into strategic controlling.
2009
Topten quality label introduced.
2009
Coop Verde American Express green credit card launched.
2008
«CO2-neutral by 2023» vision agreed for all areas within Coop’s direct sphere of influence.
2008
The Coop Naturaplan Fund becomes the Coop Sustainability Fund and is gradually replenished at a rate of CHF 15 million per year.
2008
The «Verde» magazine on organic produce and sustainability is launched.
2007
Coop Naturaplan is repositioned as a purely organic label.
2007
Coop own-label sustainability brands Naturafarm and Pro Montagna introduced.
2007
Strategic cooperation with Hochstamm Suisse.
2007
Food profile introduced on own-label products.
2007
By Air logo introduced to denote air-freighted goods. The CO2 emissions generated by air freight are offset.
2007
First Coop supermarket in line with the Minergie standard.
2006
Exclusive partnership with Slow Food Switzerland. First products launched in 2007.
2006
Founding member of the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS).
2006
Strategic partnership with WWF Switzerland focusing on forests, oceans, fish and the climate.
2005
Partnership with Schweizer Tafel and Tischlein deck dich food banks.
2005
Joins the amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) and adopts its Code of Conduct.
2005
GlobalG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practices (GRASP) project begins, involving Coop, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and GlobalG.A.P. Officially accepted by GlobalG.A.P. in 2010.
2004
The Coop Group publishes its first sustainability report.
2004
The Coop code of conduct is introduced. Its aim is to ensure business partners are dealt with fairly.
2004
«Regional organic products» are launched as part of Coop Naturaplan.
2004
Joins the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
2004
«Basel criteria for responsible soya cultivation» drawn up with WWF Switzerland.
2003
Naturaplan Fund launched with an annual budget of CHF 10 million.
2002
Naturaline awarded the UN environment prize for sustainable partnership.
2002
Comprehensive and binding guidelines produced for sustainable sourcing. Revised in 2008 and 2011.
2002
FSC quality label introduced.
2001
Sales of the own-label sustainability brands and quality labels Coop Naturaplan, Coop Naturaline, Coop Oecoplan and Max Havelaar exceed CHF 1 billion for the first time.
2000
The Coop Textile Code is agreed. This is a code of conduct for the textile industry.
2000
Launch of MSC-certified seafood products.
1997
BioRe Foundation established by Remei AG, with Coop as a board member.
1993
Coop Naturaplan and Coop Naturaline own-label sustainability brands introduced and Coop Oecoplan repositioned.
1992
The present Max Havelaar quality label is introduced as the Coop own-label brand Cooperacion.
