Aldi moves to reduce plastic packaging, focusing on savoury goods.
- The initiative includes replacing plastic with cardboard in selected items.
- This change aims to eliminate 127 tonnes of unnecessary plastic annually.
- Customers will see packaging changes in-store from 27 November.
- Part of a wider industry push against plastic waste.
Aldi is set to make significant strides in reducing its environmental impact by removing what it terms as ‘unnecessary plastic packaging’ from several of its savoury product lines. This move is part of the supermarket’s broader commitment to sustainability and aligns with increasing consumer demand for environmentally friendly shopping options.
Key changes include the replacement of plastic windows with cardboard on the Specially Selected range of pies and quiches. Additionally, Crestwood frittatas and quiches will also see a transition to cardboard packaging, and plastic trays will no longer be used for Crestwood twin slices and pork pies. These modifications reflect Aldi’s strategic approach to packaging that prioritises environmental considerations without compromising product integrity.
By implementing these packaging changes, Aldi plans to eliminate approximately 127 tonnes of unnecessary plastic packaging annually. Customers are expected to notice the new packaging in stores starting 27 November. This initiative is a testament to Aldi’s ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability of its operations, addressing both ecological concerns and evolving market trends.
Luke Emery, Aldi’s plastics and packaging director, emphasised the company’s dedication to sustainability by stating, “We are constantly reviewing ways to become a more sustainable supermarket and reducing unnecessary plastic packaging is just another example of the progress we’re making.” His statement underscores Aldi’s proactive stance in the retail sector’s movement towards reducing plastic waste.
This initiative follows a previous trial in August where Aldi experimented with removing pulp trays and punnets from several fruit and vegetable lines. The supermarket’s efforts are reflective of a broader industry trend, backed by anti-waste advocacy groups like Wrap, which has proposed a government mandate to ban plastic packaging for 21 fresh produce items in UK supermarkets.
Aldi’s initiatives mark a notable step in the retail industry’s ongoing efforts to curb plastic waste and enhance sustainability.
