Sustainable Partnerships
Over 3.5 million tonnes of plastics are used in Australia each year*. As a major retailer, it is crucial to us at ALDI that we take responsibility for our impact on the environment.
We have made nine commitments towards reducing plastic and making our packaging more sustainable. Find out more below.
Why we care about Sustainable Packaging
From protecting fragile products, to extending a product’s shelf life, we recognise that packaging plays an important role in our everyday lives. However, when packaging is not designed for recyclability or is littered, it can have a detrimental impact on the environment. Sustainable packaging gives us the best of both worlds: it performs its primary function of protecting the product but also has a lower environmental impact compared to existing or conventional packaging.
Plastic reduction and packaging improvements across ALDI products include:
Tandil Ultra Dishwashing Liquid: This product has transitioned to a 30% recycled bottle and now features a removable shrink sleeve to keep the recycling stream clean. This change in packaging saves 11.5 tonnes of plastic each year.
Yoconut Dairy Free Dessert: The former plastic tubs have changed to a paperboard packaging, saving 15.3 tonnes of plastic each year.
Sprinters Chips 20 pack: This product is now packaged in a cardboard outer box rather than a plastic bag. The change saves 26.2 tonnes of soft plastic from entering the environment each year.
Our detergents, cleaners and personal care products have replaced 339 tonnes of virgin plastic with recycled plastic packaging.
Many of your favourite ALDI cleaners and cleansers use recycled plastic in their packaging. Just look out for the recycled content logo!
ALDI’s nine commitments to Sustainable Packaging
From our packaging to our products, ALDI is committed to minimising our impact on the environment. We are making small changes that have a big impact. One of our changes is the move towards more recyclable packaging. Here are the actions that we are taking right now, to create a more sustainable future.
1. Down 25% by 2025
We are aiming to reduce plastic packaging by 25% by the end of 2025. So far, we are on track to achieve this goal and as of the end of 2022, have reduced plastic packaging by 12.2%.
2. Fresher packaging
We are actively reducing the plastic packaging in our fresh produce range. Where possible, we are transitioning to more sustainable alternatives such as materials made from cardboard. With a close eye on not increasing food waste, we have removed 21.7% of plastic packaging across our fresh produce range.
3. Goodbye single-use plastics
ALDI is phasing out problematic and unnecessary single-use plastics. In place of single-use plastic products, we have introduced a new range of plates and bowls that are made entirely of sugar cane, as well as cutlery made from certified birchwood. In December 2021, we became the first Australian supermarket to begin replacing plastic straws on juice boxes with paper versions. The roll-out to all products is at 77.3% and continues.
4. Green is the new black
We are prioritising the reduction or replacement of difficult to recycle black plastic packaging. This is the kind of packaging that you see on meat packs and ready-made meals. As of 2022, we have removed 55.3% of black plastic packaging across our range.
5. ALDI says no to landfill
As part of our ongoing sustainability journey, ALDI has made a commitment to change our packaging for the better. The packaging of our exclusive brands will be reformulated to be 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by the end of 2025. We are proud to say that 83% of our packaging currently meets this criteria.
6. Backing paper
Since 2020, all of our paper and pulp-based packaging in our everyday range is FSC, PEFC or made of 70% recycled materials. That means everything, from the egg cartons to our big cardboard boxes are responsibly sourced.
7. Stimulating a circular economy for plastics
Alongside the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), ALDI strives to increase the reuse, collection, and recycling of packaging. We are committing to an average of 50% recycled materials across all of our packaging by the end of 2025. Specifically for plastic packaging, we aim to achieve an average of 30% recycled materials. As of 2022, we are almost over half the way there, having achieved an average of 32%* in packaging.
*In FY 2021, ALDI amended the recycled content goal from 30% to 50%, to include all packaging material types, not just plastics.
8. Clear solutions
We will use the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) on all ALDI-branded products.. At this stage, the ARL is displayed on more than 78% of ALDI-branded products. We will also continue to educate our customers about the importance of the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle). For example, you can find helpful information and tips on our Reducing Plastic page.
9. Loud and proud to the crowd
We will publicly report on all of these goals annually. We have published reports since 2019.
Read our Making Sustainability Affordable report to find out more about our sustainable packaging initiatives.
For more information on our sustainable packaging progress, have a read of our latest APCO report.
Sustainable Partnerships
ALDI has entered into a strategic partnership with leading plastic recycler and sustainable packaging manufacturer, PACT Group, to provide its supplier partners with improved access to packaging made of recycled plastic for ALDI’s exclusive brand products. The partnership is expected to drive progress towards ALDI’s ambition of achieving a 50 per cent inclusion of recycled material in packaging by 2025. The collaboration is another demonstration of ALDI’s commitment to Making a Good Difference.
ALDI has endorsed the Australian Dairy Sustainable Packaging Roadmap. The roadmap is a joint initiative between APCO, Dairy Australia and Australian Dairy Products Federation Inc. The initiative includes a range of strategic actions that the industry can take to contribute to a sustainable circular economy for dairy product packaging. Launched in late October 2021, a key goal is for 100% of dairy packaging designed to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
“Australia’s dairy sector has worked tirelessly to identify opportunities and challenges as well as outline strategies for improvement, and ALDI is excited to do our part in supporting the collective industry vision to establish a sustainable packaging future,” said Adrian Nel, Group Buying Director – Chiller and Alcohol, ALDI Australia.
ALDI’s grocery bagging system is Good Different
ALDI has historically never provided free-of-charge plastic carrier bags. Our reusable plastic bag, The Le Bag Recycle, is 80% recycled plastic, 60% of which is pallet wrap from ALDI warehouses. By not providing single-use bags and encouraging our customers to instead use reusable bags, we have saved an estimated 8.6 billion plastic bags from entering the environment.
Five tips for how you can support Sustainable Packaging
We’ve collated a few handy tips for things to keep in mind the next time you go shopping at ALDI.
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
If you’re asking: “What can we do to reduce our packaging?”, follow the 3 R's!! Extend the life of plastic products by repurposing them. For example, fruit juice or milk cartons make great watering cans for houseplants.
2. Read Labels
See if products have the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) on their packaging. The label helps consumers to recycle correctly by providing simple and clear instructions. By the end of 2022, all ALDI branded products will carry the ARL. For more information, check out our Recycling page.
3. Avoid Unnecessary Plastic
The iconic 3 R's are not just limited to plastic packaging on products. Avoid excessive packaging when shopping by packing fresh produce in ALDI’s reusable shopping bags.
4. Choose Paper over Plastic
Where possible, avoid using products that are made of single-use plastic. When preparing for a picnic or party, opt for tableware such as plates and cups made from paper instead of plastic. Buying our drinks with paper straws or cotton buds with paper stems are just two of the ways in which you can apply this tip when shopping at ALDI.
5. Buy Products with Packaging made from Recycled Materials
Packaging that is made from recycled materials reduces the need for virgin materials and supports the circular economy. Keep an eye out for our Green Action cleaning range which uses packaging made from recycled plastics. Find more products that are made from recycled materials by looking for the recycled content logos on pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sustainable packaging?
Sustainable packaging has a lower environmental impact compared to its previous conventional or existing packaging. A lower environmental impact is measured across varying factors and can be achieved through the reduction of raw materials, water, CO2 and waste.
Why is it important to improve packaging?
Packaging serves an important role in our everyday lives but sometimes this packaging cannot be recovered. For example, 3.5 million tonnes of plastic is consumed in Australia each year, while only 11.5% is recovered for recycling. ALDI is prioritising the purchase and design of better packaging to help tackle this issue.