Zhodnocení návrhu implementace cirkulární ekonomiky v potravinářském průmyslu

Abstract

This Master's thesis focuses on the evaluation and proposed implementation of circular economy principles within the food retail sector, specifically within the company Albert Czech Republic, s. r. o. The research examines the concepts of sustainability, ESG, and the legislative framework of the EU and the Czech Republic, utilizing the 9R hierarchy for efficient resource management as its methodological foundation. The thesis employs a combination of secondary analysis of ESG reports, benchmarking against primary competitors, SWOT analysis, and the customer window method supported by a questionnaire survey. Detailed analysis revealed that Albert is a leader in food donation, which reached a record 3,852 tons in 2024, and successfully reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 37 % between 2021 and 2024. Benchmarking with competitors confirmed that Albert dominates in digitalization and prediction systems, yet lags behind in the marketing communication of its sustainability efforts. From the customers' perspective, trust in the quality of discounted goods is crucial, but the results indicated a significant need for clearer discount labeling and a wider selection of non-standard ("ugly") fruit and vegetables. Specific recommendations were formulated, including expanding the "Můj Albert" mobile application with motivational features, introducing "mix" vegetable packages, and investing in photovoltaic power plants to reduce operational energy intensity. A proprietary economic model demonstrated that transforming waste disposal costs into revenue through the sale of discounted food generates a positive impact on the margin, ensuring the company's long-term stability and competitiveness in line with environmental goals.