ALDI's newest product is made-in-China and it’s getting mixed reactions from shoppers
- Replies 49
We know and love ALDI for its low prices and unique merchandise. It’s one of the reasons so many people are raving fans of the discount supermarket!
But it seems like not everyone is happy with the store’s latest development. In fact, some shoppers are so unhappy that they’re taking to social media to voice their displeasure.
The source of all this anger? A new toilet paper product is now being stocked on ALDI shelves around Australia. While this might not sound like a big deal at first, it turns out that there’s more to this story than meets the eye....
The tissue in question is Who Gives A Crap toilet paper, which has built up quite a cult following in recent years thanks to its sustainability efforts and pledge to donate 50% of profits to clean water and sanitation projects around the world. So far, so good! But here’s where things start to go downhill.
It turns out that Who Gives A Crap toilet paper is made in China – something that didn’t sit well with some shoppers when they found out.
Some ALDI grocery shoppers expressed their disappointment that the Who Gives A Crap toilet paper is made in China, which makes it an unethical buy.
A shopper wrote on the popular Facebook group, ALDI Fans Australia: 'Who Gives a Crap? People who don’t want crap Chinese-made toilet paper when there are plenty of great Aussie-made choices at ALDI.'
'No thanks, made in China,' another user wrote.
A third chimed in: 'Okay, well, I’ve bought it for years because it’s eco-friendly – I never knew it was made in China. I guess it’s naive of me. It’s all a shambles and it seems impossible to do the right thing!'
Several ALDI fans have waded into the discussion, arguing that it is not taboo for products to be manufactured overseas.
One user argued: 'I hope the people who don’t buy “made in China” have Australian-made phones and computers, etc.'
'I love the made in China debate, I bet so much stuff you own is made in China without you even knowing it,' another said.
A third chimed in: 'I’m hearing all that is being said. But at least this company provides money to build toilets in impoverished countries. That’s a good thing.'
Meanwhile, Who Gives A Crap explained why the product is not made in Australia, pointing out that there were only a handful of producers in Australia that make recycled toilet paper, making it difficult to ensure a sufficient supply of an essential every Aussie uses daily.
'When Who Gives A Crap first started, we actually wanted to produce all products in Australia,' a spokesperson said.
'However, there’s a small number of recycled tissue producers in Australia, and none were capable or willing to cater to what we needed to give the most value for our customers and least impact on the environment.'
And since importing toilet paper is a greener option than making it locally, the company said it makes sense to have bulk raw materials imported from overseas.
The representative added: 'The science tells us two things. Firstly, trucking products around a large country like Australia from a single production location produces roughly the same transport emissions as manufacturing in Asia and shipping them in.'
'Secondly, importing raw materials from overseas produces even more carbon emissions compared to sourcing locally.'
'China’s supply chains for collecting and converting post-consumer recycled paper and bamboo into tissue are unique, and don’t rely on importing any raw materials from other countries.'
'Bamboo for example is an excellent material and grows in China so it makes sense for us to produce it there. They also allow us to be plastic-free and cater to a larger sheet count of 400 which is double the length of an average loo roll, which can be challenging for local producers.'
'We will always continue to look for opportunities to move our production locally should it meet the impact standards to remain true to our vision of doing the most good for the planet and people.'
Simon Griffiths, CEO and co-founder of Who Gives A Crap, also commented that the company is committed to doing their part in ensuring the preservation of the environment.
'Our customers have long helped us to create a community of people who make a difference through their everyday purchases,' he said.
'Launching in ALDI stores will get our toilet paper in front of more Aussies, we hope this will help catalyse a new age of consumer-driven philanthropy.'
So, where do you stand? Do you agree with the fans' claims that the product should be manufactured in Australia, or do you think it is more ethical to opt for a more sustainable toilet paper option? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
But it seems like not everyone is happy with the store’s latest development. In fact, some shoppers are so unhappy that they’re taking to social media to voice their displeasure.
The source of all this anger? A new toilet paper product is now being stocked on ALDI shelves around Australia. While this might not sound like a big deal at first, it turns out that there’s more to this story than meets the eye....
The tissue in question is Who Gives A Crap toilet paper, which has built up quite a cult following in recent years thanks to its sustainability efforts and pledge to donate 50% of profits to clean water and sanitation projects around the world. So far, so good! But here’s where things start to go downhill.
ALDI now retails the China-made Who Gives A Crap toilet roll, prompting mixed reactions from customers. Credit: ALDI Fans Australia/Facebook.
It turns out that Who Gives A Crap toilet paper is made in China – something that didn’t sit well with some shoppers when they found out.
Some ALDI grocery shoppers expressed their disappointment that the Who Gives A Crap toilet paper is made in China, which makes it an unethical buy.
A shopper wrote on the popular Facebook group, ALDI Fans Australia: 'Who Gives a Crap? People who don’t want crap Chinese-made toilet paper when there are plenty of great Aussie-made choices at ALDI.'
'No thanks, made in China,' another user wrote.
A third chimed in: 'Okay, well, I’ve bought it for years because it’s eco-friendly – I never knew it was made in China. I guess it’s naive of me. It’s all a shambles and it seems impossible to do the right thing!'
Several ALDI fans have waded into the discussion, arguing that it is not taboo for products to be manufactured overseas.
Who Gives A Crap explained that the reason why they outsource the production of the rolls is the fact that it will be more sustainable to have them produced in China. Credit: Who Gives A Crap.
One user argued: 'I hope the people who don’t buy “made in China” have Australian-made phones and computers, etc.'
'I love the made in China debate, I bet so much stuff you own is made in China without you even knowing it,' another said.
A third chimed in: 'I’m hearing all that is being said. But at least this company provides money to build toilets in impoverished countries. That’s a good thing.'
Meanwhile, Who Gives A Crap explained why the product is not made in Australia, pointing out that there were only a handful of producers in Australia that make recycled toilet paper, making it difficult to ensure a sufficient supply of an essential every Aussie uses daily.
'When Who Gives A Crap first started, we actually wanted to produce all products in Australia,' a spokesperson said.
'However, there’s a small number of recycled tissue producers in Australia, and none were capable or willing to cater to what we needed to give the most value for our customers and least impact on the environment.'
And since importing toilet paper is a greener option than making it locally, the company said it makes sense to have bulk raw materials imported from overseas.
The representative added: 'The science tells us two things. Firstly, trucking products around a large country like Australia from a single production location produces roughly the same transport emissions as manufacturing in Asia and shipping them in.'
'Secondly, importing raw materials from overseas produces even more carbon emissions compared to sourcing locally.'
'China’s supply chains for collecting and converting post-consumer recycled paper and bamboo into tissue are unique, and don’t rely on importing any raw materials from other countries.'
'Bamboo for example is an excellent material and grows in China so it makes sense for us to produce it there. They also allow us to be plastic-free and cater to a larger sheet count of 400 which is double the length of an average loo roll, which can be challenging for local producers.'
'We will always continue to look for opportunities to move our production locally should it meet the impact standards to remain true to our vision of doing the most good for the planet and people.'
Simon Griffiths, CEO and co-founder of Who Gives A Crap, also commented that the company is committed to doing their part in ensuring the preservation of the environment.
'Our customers have long helped us to create a community of people who make a difference through their everyday purchases,' he said.
'Launching in ALDI stores will get our toilet paper in front of more Aussies, we hope this will help catalyse a new age of consumer-driven philanthropy.'
So, where do you stand? Do you agree with the fans' claims that the product should be manufactured in Australia, or do you think it is more ethical to opt for a more sustainable toilet paper option? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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