Major changes are coming to ALDI: Discover how your next shop could be affected
We all know that ALDI is the go-to supermarket for delivering top-notch quality products at low prices. But have you noticed any changes to their range lately?
The retail giant recently confirmed that customers will notice reduced plastic packaging in their stores in the next twelve months.
ALDI released their Making Sustainability Affordable Report, which outlines its commitment to minimising plastic packaging in stores across Australia. In 2022, they cut their usage by 5,500 tonnes, and they plan to continue doing so in the coming months
The retailer committed in 2019 to reduce plastic packaging by 25 per cent by 2025. As of this month, they have recorded a 12.2 per cent reduction.
But what does it mean for you as a customer? Well, this change would affect each shopper’s meat, pantry and household buys. Here are some affected items:
ALDI’s Sustainability Director, Daniel Baker, said their commitment to reducing plastic packaging has led to innovative changes to customers’ favourite products.
'It’s difficult to ignore the negative impact plastic waste can have on our environment,' he said. 'We have a responsibility to reduce our use of plastic packaging, and this is a responsibility we take very seriously at ALDI.’
He added: 'In the same way we work with our supplier partners to ensure our top-notch product quality and affordable prices, we also work with them to innovate our packaging to “design-out” plastic.'
Mr Baker also stated that their company’s goal to provide affordable, high-quality products doesn’t have to cost the planet.
‘Every customer that walks through our doors can rest assured that doing the right thing for the planet and saving money at the till aren’t mutually exclusive,’ he claimed.
'As a business, we are fundamentally focused on delivering for our customers, and we are keenly aware many of them are feeling the pinch right now,' continued Mr Baker.
'For us, we won’t be beaten on the cost of the weekly shop, but that simply doesn’t come at the expense of our commitment to our ambitious sustainability initiatives,’ he stated.
Aside from reducing plastic packaging, ALDI has other initiatives outlined in their Making Sustainability Affordable Report.
They plan on removing the 15 cents reusable plastic bags and will trial chiller doors in select stores in New South Wales.
The chiller doors, as ALDI claimed, have the potential to reduce refrigeration energy usage by approximately 30 per cent. It was mentioned that this will also be trialled in 15 more stores in Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia.
The report also stated that the retailer has recorded 82 per cent diversion of waste from a landfill, which is attributed to their Food Rescue Program. Through this program, they have contributed an equivalent of 8.75 million meals in 2022.
Lastly, ALDI has successfully powered their operations using 100 per cent renewable energy. They are the first and only retailer in the country to achieve this.
They said that because of this, their operational emissions have lowered by 90 per cent in the previous fiscal year.
You can read ALDI’s Making Sustainability Affordable Report here.
Have you noticed these changes in your local ALDI recently, members? Let us know in the comments below!
The retail giant recently confirmed that customers will notice reduced plastic packaging in their stores in the next twelve months.
ALDI released their Making Sustainability Affordable Report, which outlines its commitment to minimising plastic packaging in stores across Australia. In 2022, they cut their usage by 5,500 tonnes, and they plan to continue doing so in the coming months
The retailer committed in 2019 to reduce plastic packaging by 25 per cent by 2025. As of this month, they have recorded a 12.2 per cent reduction.
But what does it mean for you as a customer? Well, this change would affect each shopper’s meat, pantry and household buys. Here are some affected items:
- Beef mince - Instead of trays, ALDI will use flow-wrap packaging in their Jindurra Station two-star beef mince. They claimed that this uses 70 per cent less plastic than the previous packaging
- Cup O’ Noodles - Styrofoam cups will be banned and replaced by paper-based recyclable alternatives
- Batteries - Plastic packaging will be replaced by paper, which will eliminate approximately 17 tonnes of plastic waste
ALDI’s Sustainability Director, Daniel Baker, said their commitment to reducing plastic packaging has led to innovative changes to customers’ favourite products.
'It’s difficult to ignore the negative impact plastic waste can have on our environment,' he said. 'We have a responsibility to reduce our use of plastic packaging, and this is a responsibility we take very seriously at ALDI.’
He added: 'In the same way we work with our supplier partners to ensure our top-notch product quality and affordable prices, we also work with them to innovate our packaging to “design-out” plastic.'
Mr Baker also stated that their company’s goal to provide affordable, high-quality products doesn’t have to cost the planet.
‘Every customer that walks through our doors can rest assured that doing the right thing for the planet and saving money at the till aren’t mutually exclusive,’ he claimed.
'As a business, we are fundamentally focused on delivering for our customers, and we are keenly aware many of them are feeling the pinch right now,' continued Mr Baker.
'For us, we won’t be beaten on the cost of the weekly shop, but that simply doesn’t come at the expense of our commitment to our ambitious sustainability initiatives,’ he stated.
Aside from reducing plastic packaging, ALDI has other initiatives outlined in their Making Sustainability Affordable Report.
They plan on removing the 15 cents reusable plastic bags and will trial chiller doors in select stores in New South Wales.
The chiller doors, as ALDI claimed, have the potential to reduce refrigeration energy usage by approximately 30 per cent. It was mentioned that this will also be trialled in 15 more stores in Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia.
The report also stated that the retailer has recorded 82 per cent diversion of waste from a landfill, which is attributed to their Food Rescue Program. Through this program, they have contributed an equivalent of 8.75 million meals in 2022.
Lastly, ALDI has successfully powered their operations using 100 per cent renewable energy. They are the first and only retailer in the country to achieve this.
They said that because of this, their operational emissions have lowered by 90 per cent in the previous fiscal year.
You can read ALDI’s Making Sustainability Affordable Report here.
Key Takeaways
- ALDI is implementing significant changes to its stores as part of an effort to reduce plastic packaging.
- The changes include introducing flow-wrap packaging for beef mince, transitioning to paper cups for noodles and switching to paper packaging for batteries.
- These initiatives are part of ALDI's commitment to minimising plastic use and form part of their Making Sustainability Affordable Report.
- ALDI Australia’s Sustainability Director reaffirmed the supermarket's commitment to sustainability, stating it does not come at the expense of affordability or product quality.
Have you noticed these changes in your local ALDI recently, members? Let us know in the comments below!