ALDI’s new eco-friendly initiative divides social media — can you see what the fuss is about?
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ALDI has announced that its Westcliff Tropical Fruit Drinks will now come with paper straws in a move to reduce plastic waste.
The supermarket said that this move aims to remove more than 40 million plastic straws from landfill annually.
It was said that the move to shift to paper straws is part of the supermarket's pledge to reduce its plastic waste.
It should be noted that ALDI announced that it will be switching from plastic to paper straws in all of its stores nationwide in December 2021, confirming that the rollout would happen nationwide throughout 2022.
This move is expected to divert 18 tonnes of single-use plastic from landfill every year – which is the equivalent of two kilos per hour.
ALDI introduced paper straws for sale along with packs of juice boxes. Credit: Facebook.
ALDI Australia Buying Director Dan Warner said: “Juice boxes are a regular in kids’ lunchboxes and we are exceptionally proud to start offering poppers with less plastic at the same low price."
“Parents on a mission to reduce household waste and their environmental impact can now have peace of mind knowing the drink in their child’s lunchbox contains less plastic, and they aren’t sacrificing convenience or worrying about any impact to their back pockets."
The company said that the new paper straws have gone through extensive quality assurance testing and are said to be both durable and strong. They are also capable of puncturing packets and maintaining their shape without softening, allowing consumers to have a similar drinking experience as to that with using plastic straws.
ALDI's existing drink cartons are recyclable and while the sleeve around the straw will remain plastic in the interim, it is able to be recycled through soft plastic recycling programs like REDcycle.
While the German retailer's move seemed to be a victory for sustainability, shoppers were divided over the utility of the paper straws.
Many pointed out that paper straws usually become "soggy" when used, going as far as to describe them as "annoying" and "useless".
One person wrote: “Something I won’t be buying. Paper straws make my skin crawl, add a child with autism and it’s a no for us.”
“I understand it’s better the environment, but they are such a choking hazard for kids when they get soggy and kids are chewing down on them! Especially for really young kids,” another said.
A third chimed in: “They get soggy after two minutes, it’s so annoying.”
“My kids are gonna love the soggy straws. Thanks ALDI," another added.
And another said: “It’s disgusting. A soggy straw for drinks is becoming the norm.”
It was said that the introduction of paper straws is part of the German retailer’s pledge to reduce its plastic waste. Credit: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images.
Others claimed that the move was "confusing".
One comment read: “I’m sorry, I cannot STAND paper straws, and with so many other USELESS plastic packaging items being produced, I don’t understand the obsession with plastic straw removal."
“I now refuse to get takeaway from McDonald’s and will only go to Hungry Jacks, just because I can no longer drink McDonald’s drinks (unless I have remembered to take my reusable straw).”
However, a number of users were quick to defend the retailer's move, with many praising ALDI for championing sustainability.
One user said: “Good one ALDI!”
“Anyone who is seriously concerned about plastic straws, should really be using a reusable drink bottle," another said.
“For kids who prefer ‘straws’, lots of drink bottles come with them. Wash and reuse. Not only cuts back on plastic but rubbish in general.”
A third added: “I love how people carry on about this. It’s out of pure laziness. If you don’t like paper straws, buy your own and pop it in your bag or car. Or use the one built into your face.”
How about you? Do you support ALDI's move to introduce paper straws for its juice boxes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!