ALDI North and ALDI SOUTH look back on a year of their joint packaging mission: last year alone, the discounters reported that they saved more than 15,000 tonnes of packaging weight for their own brands. Compared to 2015, this is over 40,000 tonnes less packaging material. In addition to plastic, this also includes metals, paper, cardboard and glass. As part of a campaign, the companies are now calling on their customers to get involved together with ALDI.
Cucumbers without plastic film, more sustainable fruit and vegetable bags and a segregation notice on own-brand packaging: ALDI North and ALDI SOUTH have already implemented many of the measures from the packaging mission launched just over a year ago. „Together, we are getting closer and closer to our goals with many small and large steps,“ says Rayk Mende, Managing Director Corporate Responsibility & Quality Assurance at the ALDI North Group.
„With the total savings to date, we have achieved a important milestone on our mission achieved. Now we are facing the next challenges,“ says Kristina Bell, Group Buying Director at ALDI SOUTH, responsible for Quality & Corporate Responsibility.
Yoghurt without a lid, beer bottles made from recycled material
More than half of the packaging saved is plastic: ALDI North and ALDI SOUTH have saved around 22,000 tonnes of plastic - enough to fit into eight million yellow bags. The No plastic film for the cucumber saves 120 tonnes of plastic every year.
Discounters will continue to do without unnecessary packaging in the future. For example, selected regional companies are planning to remove the additional lid on yoghurt on a trial basis and offer a reusable silicone version instead. In addition, ALDI North and ALDI SOUTH are improving the recyclability of their product packaging. According to an initial survey, around two thirds are already categorised as recyclable. Wherever possible, the companies use recycled plastics. For example, a large proportion of beer bottles are made from 100 per cent recycled material.
Packaging mission: customers join in
„The packaging mission is not about the short-term effect, but about sustainable solutions,“ emphasises Kristina Bell. „Our commitment is aimed at the general public. We want to make our Sensitise customers to the topic and take with us on our journey,“ adds Rayk Mende.
ALDI is for the first time Co-operation partner of ProSieben's Green Seven Week (14 - 20 October). During the sustainable week on the topic of „Save the Oceans“ the discounters are working with actor Uke Bosse to draw attention to the possibilities of reducing and optimising packaging in various TV commercials. In addition, from 14 October, they are calling on their customers under the motto „Together on a #ALDI packing mission“ social media measures to encourage participation. At ALDI SOUTH, digital OOH posters and online advertising formats also complement the campaign.
By 2025, ALDI wants to reduce packaging weight by 30 per cent compared to the base year 2015. By All product packaging should be recyclable by 2022. All information about ALDI's commitment to packaging waste can be found here: packagingmission.aldi.de.
Source: Aldi Süd
