From 26 April, Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord will be offering a refillable cosmetics bottle. Nepenthes was developed by the young company Cyclic Design as part of the Aldi start-up programme.
After two years of development, the sustainable cosmetics bottle Nepenthes from the idea to market maturity. Behind the product the start-up Cyclic Design. In 2019, the young company made it to the first round of the funding programme run by Aldi and the TechFounders accelerator.
„Our partnership with Aldi was the perfect starting signal for the Nepenthes bottle as a sustainable and practical product for the general public. This success is a great confirmation of our vision to continue pursuing innovative solutions in the future and thus make a contribution to the environment.“ Marilu Valente, Co-founder of Cyclic Design
The start-up has made it its mission, Reduce packaging waste in the cosmetics sector and therefore relies on a reusable solution.
„The idea of Cyclic Design convinced us right from the start. We are delighted that we were able to support the two founders on their journey towards less plastic. With the Nepenthes bottle, which also impresses with its unique design, we offer our customers a simple solution to reduce packaging waste.“ Eva Tobor, Director International Buying at Aldi Nord
Nepenthes is a sustainable everyday solution
Thanks to the unscrewable base, the cosmetics bottle produced in Germany can be used several times. It holds up to 250 ml and can be easily Keep topping up with shampoo, shower gel or soap. In addition to the environmental aspect Nepenthes thanks to its practical design. Thanks to its teardrop shape, the bottle does not need a lid.
„Together, we have succeeded in launching an innovative reusable solution for the cosmetics sector. We are showing our customers how easy it is to avoid plastic in everyday life and are taking a big step towards a sustainable future together.“ Sissy Wolf, Buying Director at Aldi Süd
Double added value for the environment
Aldi offers the bottle in combination with a Hair & Body Shower Concentrate from our own brand Ombia in a refill bag. The Refill product (bag and cap) is made of mono-material and therefore offers a high level of recyclability compared to other packaging materials. Over the course of a year, the reusable cosmetics bottle and the refill principle can save up to 60 per cent of plastic compared to disposable bottles.
At the same time, the Nepenthes on average 20 conventional disposable bottles in the period mentioned. The formulation of the microplastic-free shower concentrate also means that less dosage is required during use, which reduces consumption and costs.
The climate neutrality of the combi product provides further added value for the environment. All previously unavoidable emissions caused by material procurement, production, packaging and transport of the Nepenthes as well as the refill bag, are minimised by the support of a Gold Standard certified climate protection project in Uganda balanced.
[infotext icon]In 2018, Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd set themselves the goal of avoiding, reusing or recycling packaging wherever possible. Part of the packaging mission is to collaborate with start-ups. Various innovative products from the TechFounders collaboration have already made it onto the Aldi shelves. Under the new own brand What's Next. both discounters regularly launch innovative products from start-ups in the food and non-food sectors. The individual development stages of the cosmetics bottle, from the first 3D design to the final product, are presented at the Aldi Süd Blog presented and explained in more detail[/infotext].
