We can all sometimes feel that there's a lot wrong with the modern world. Things seem to get more expensive and less convenient all the time, and that can be especially true when it comes to grocery shopping.

This time, however, we have the chance to choose something that is not only convenient but also eco-friendly.

Welcome to the new world of ALDI’s brown paper bags.

ALDI has recently announced its decision to phase out its cheapest reusable plastic bags, replacing them with brown paper bags.

From today, the paper bags will be available for a slightly higher price of 25 cents, but the additional cost might be well worth it for those who prioritise minimising their environmental impact.

ALDI has introduced eco-friendly paper bags. Credit: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

Don't worry, though – if you still prefer reusable plastic bags, ALDI will continue to offer a thicker, sturdier option at checkouts for 99c.

For those wanting to keep chilled groceries cool during transit, they've also got you covered with cooler bags available for $2.49.

ALDI's move towards more eco-friendly solutions is estimated to remove more than 888 tonnes of plastic from circulation each year.

This comes as a welcome change, as major supermarkets increasingly face pressure from the public to reduce their plastic consumption.

ALDI said it was improving its packaging to reduce plastic by 25 per cent. Credit: ALDI Australia

In a statement, the supermarket giant said: ‘We have announced the national phase-out of our reusable 15c plastic bag and the introduction of a paper bag alternative, which is now available in all stores. The paper bags are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and 100 per cent kerbside recyclable.’

‘We know Aussies are continuing to make more conscious choices, and we want to continue meeting their needs.’

‘Ultimately, bringing your own bags every time you shop is the most sustainable option, and we encourage customers to continue doing so. But when they can’t, our paper bags are now available. These may seem like small changes, but they all add up to making a Good Difference,’ the announcement continued.

ALDI's main competitors, Coles and Woolworths, have also committed to phasing out their 15c plastic bags in a bid to reduce plastic waste by the millions.

ALDI is committed to making eco-friendly changes. Image credit: The Seniors Discount Club

Coles announced last month that stopping the sale of their 15c plastic bags would cut an estimated 230 million plastic bags from Australian circulation yearly.

And just weeks before that, Woolworths vowed to stop selling soft-use plastic bags by June, demonstrating that supermarkets are beginning to take plastic waste reduction seriously.

ALDI's initiative to phase out plastic bags is just one part of its broader commitment to reduce plastic waste. The supermarket chain aims to reduce its overall plastic output by 25 per cent before the year 2025.

According to a statement on the retailer’s website, they're well on track to achieve this goal, with plans to ensure that all of their packaging is 100 per cent recyclable, reusable, or compostable by the same deadline.

This also comes after it was announced that supermarket titans ALDI, Coles, and Woolworths announced their joint ‘road map to restart’ plan to resume soft plastic collection and recycling.

According to a spokesperson at the time, the plan intends to clear the massive backlog left by the failure of the REDCycle program last year. The task force estimates this could take a year to resolve. You can read more on this here.

With ALDI leading the charge by offering paper bags, we hope more companies will follow suit, and together, we can make a positive impact on the environment.

We also think these changes are an admirable effort to reduce the number of waste major stores cause.

Key Takeaways

• ALDI has announced the phase-out of their reusable plastic bags, replacing them with brown paper bags available for 25 cents.
• The change will reportedly remove over 888 tonnes of plastic from circulation annually.
• Coles and Woolworths have also made commitments to reduce their plastic consumption and phase out plastic bags.
• ALDI has set a goal to reduce their overall plastic consumption by 25 per cent before 2025 and ensure all their packaging is 100 per cent recyclable, reusable or compostable by the same deadline.

Do you believe that this change can help reduce plastic consumption overall? Have you seen ALDI’s paper bags yet? Let us know in the comments!

 

[Pameee]

There is no need to buy any of the overpriced bags . keep an couple of containers / boxes in boot of car plus cold bags . Take shopping in trolley to the car pack it at the car ..
this way your groceries area packed how you want them items .. broken eggs squashed bread can be avoided
bags are not overloaded / packed too heavy .. I have been doing this for many years

 

[Mark1]

I totally disagree with the paper bag trend.

There are small rubbish bins that take the plastic bags to reuse them. They can be take back for groceries again and again.

After our shop this week (we forgot to take bags!) we threw away three paper bags. Yes, in the recycling, but what a waste! Using paper, wasting paper.

No, I don’t agree with paper bags in the supermarkets.

Yes, social engineering at work. Would like to see how many people they surveyed about getting rid of plastic bags. Or is it just the loud activists again.

 

[Mark1]

to the complainers take your own bags. Brown paper bags, not new. Change is not always for the betterment of the planet. Proven.

Only if you believe that the planet is dying. Many don't.

 

[Mark1]

Well said, Jest. BYO - bring your own and we won’t be cutting down any more trees in Australia or wherever they are probably importing the bags from.

Woolworths brought in a soft green ‘fabric-looking’ bag many years ago - don’t know it’s exact composition. We have some of these in our car all the time but the handles are now falling apart. Option is to cut them off and repair with one (or two) layers of strong tape. We also have more cloth bags picked up at various events in the past. Who cares what your bag looks like, where it comes from, what the logo says - it does the job. Otherwise bring one of your own bags for fruit and vegetables and something for cold stuff. Put the rest of your purchases back in the trolley and put them in your car in manageable sized cardboard boxes that you can carry inside.

Just stop whinging about change, do your best. We should all stop complaining about lack of plastic bags and now useless paper bags. Our environment MUST be our main priority.

That is if you are indoctrinated about the environment. Don't believe what the activists are saying.

 

[freedy50]

We can all sometimes feel that there's a lot wrong with the modern world. Things seem to get more expensive and less convenient all the time, and that can be especially true when it comes to grocery shopping.

This time, however, we have the chance to choose something that is not only convenient but also eco-friendly.

Welcome to the new world of ALDI’s brown paper bags.

ALDI has recently announced its decision to phase out its cheapest reusable plastic bags, replacing them with brown paper bags.

From today, the paper bags will be available for a slightly higher price of 25 cents, but the additional cost might be well worth it for those who prioritise minimising their environmental impact.

View attachment 21283

ALDI has introduced eco-friendly paper bags. Credit: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

Don't worry, though – if you still prefer reusable plastic bags, ALDI will continue to offer a thicker, sturdier option at checkouts for 99c.

For those wanting to keep chilled groceries cool during transit, they've also got you covered with cooler bags available for $2.49.

ALDI's move towards more eco-friendly solutions is estimated to remove more than 888 tonnes of plastic from circulation each year.

This comes as a welcome change, as major supermarkets increasingly face pressure from the public to reduce their plastic consumption.

View attachment 21284

ALDI said it was improving its packaging to reduce plastic by 25 per cent. Credit: ALDI Australia

In a statement, the supermarket giant said: ‘We have announced the national phase-out of our reusable 15c plastic bag and the introduction of a paper bag alternative, which is now available in all stores. The paper bags are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and 100 per cent kerbside recyclable.’

‘We know Aussies are continuing to make more conscious choices, and we want to continue meeting their needs.’

‘Ultimately, bringing your own bags every time you shop is the most sustainable option, and we encourage customers to continue doing so. But when they can’t, our paper bags are now available. These may seem like small changes, but they all add up to making a Good Difference,’ the announcement continued.

ALDI's main competitors, Coles and Woolworths, have also committed to phasing out their 15c plastic bags in a bid to reduce plastic waste by the millions.

View attachment 21305

ALDI is committed to making eco-friendly changes. Image credit: The Seniors Discount Club

Coles announced last month that stopping the sale of their 15c plastic bags would cut an estimated 230 million plastic bags from Australian circulation yearly.

And just weeks before that, Woolworths vowed to stop selling soft-use plastic bags by June, demonstrating that supermarkets are beginning to take plastic waste reduction seriously.

ALDI's initiative to phase out plastic bags is just one part of its broader commitment to reduce plastic waste. The supermarket chain aims to reduce its overall plastic output by 25 per cent before the year 2025.

According to a statement on the retailer’s website, they're well on track to achieve this goal, with plans to ensure that all of their packaging is 100 per cent recyclable, reusable, or compostable by the same deadline.

This also comes after it was announced that supermarket titans ALDI, Coles, and Woolworths announced their joint ‘road map to restart’ plan to resume soft plastic collection and recycling.

According to a spokesperson at the time, the plan intends to clear the massive backlog left by the failure of the REDCycle program last year. The task force estimates this could take a year to resolve. You can read more on this here.

With ALDI leading the charge by offering paper bags, we hope more companies will follow suit, and together, we can make a positive impact on the environment.

We also think these changes are an admirable effort to reduce the number of waste major stores cause.

Key Takeaways

• ALDI has announced the phase-out of their reusable plastic bags, replacing them with brown paper bags available for 25 cents.
• The change will reportedly remove over 888 tonnes of plastic from circulation annually.
• Coles and Woolworths have also made commitments to reduce their plastic consumption and phase out plastic bags.
• ALDI has set a goal to reduce their overall plastic consumption by 25 per cent before 2025 and ensure all their packaging is 100 per cent recyclable, reusable or compostable by the same deadline.

Do you believe that this change can help reduce plastic consumption overall? Have you seen ALDI’s paper bags yet? Let us know in the comments!

Haven't used bags for ages. I put all my shopping back in the trolley then into some plastic boxes I keep in my car boot. Easy to sort out when I get home.

 

[Catherines]

I have another suggestion about this grocery bag issue - although plastic, invest in a couple of manageable sized plastic crates and keep them in your car. You probably only need 2-4 of them, they stack and are so, so, so much more durable and ever so much more longer lasting than plastic, paper or even the older green Woolworths cloth bags that deteriorate over time (like the ones I still have & use sometimes now).

Paper is a product of wood, wood comes from trees - and we need trees to put oxygen into the air we breathe, and especially for our threatened native tree dwelling fauna.