OREANDA-NEWS. July 26, 2012. X5 Retail Group N.V., (“X5” or the “Company”), Russia's largest retailer in terms of revenue (LSE ticker symbol: FIVE), announced that the Company has introduced “ECObags”, made of biodegradable non-woven materials, for customers at Perekrestok and Green Perekrestok supermarkets in Moscow and Karusel Hypermarkets in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg, to reduce the Company’s environmental impact. The size of the new environmentally friendly bag is 450x390x170 mm (31 liters) and is available for RUR 23.9 (USD 0.75).

The bags are made of spunbond biodegradable fabric and comply with EU Directive 94/62EC on packaging and packaging waste. Due to its durability every spunbonded bag replaces 8-10 plastic bags and can be easily recycled.

X5 Retail Group will continue to improve its operations to comply with highest social responsibility standards and pays special attention to environmental issues. In 2009, customers of Green Perekrestok were offered recyclable paper boxes to carry their purchases and earlier this year Perekrestok stores located in Central region (Moscow, Kaluga and Tver regions) introduced eco-friendly bags made of recycled paper. In September 2012, X5 plans to introduce biodegradable plastic bags and will continue efforts to offer customers environmentally-friendly options like the “ECObag”.