ALDI sets 30% global goal for recycled content in plastic packaging

Plastic pollution is one of the greatest challenges of our time. In order to reduce the use of raw materials in plastic packaging and to promote a circular economy, the ALDI SOUTH Group is committed to using an average of 30% of recycled content in plastic packaging across the Group by 2025.

Plastic packaging plays an important role in protecting products and helps to ensure their quality and to avoid food waste. However, the large amount of plastic that is used today has created an environmental crisis.

As an international company and global retailer, we are aware of our responsibility. We are determined to implement environmentally-friendly and responsible product packaging across all our markets. Moving from a linear economic system to a circular one is a key pillar of our international CR Strategy and Vision for 2030. ALDI aims to achieve an average recycled content share of at least 30% in plastic packaging by the end of 2025. Roadmaps are being developed for all ALDI countries to reach this recycled content rate.

What is recycled content?

Recycled plastic is made from materials that have been collected and recovered, while virgin plastic is new plastic mainly made from crude oil.

Why is the use of recycled content important?

The use of recycled content not only reduces the amount of virgin material, but also creates incentives for setting up a collection and recycling infrastructure. Using recycled instead of virgin materials also improves the climate impact of packaging.

Our commitment to packaging

We have set ourselves ambitious goals to increase the material efficiency and circularity of the ALDI own brand product packaging:

• We are fully committed to reducing and removing unnecessary plastic and packaging. The packaging for many of our products have been already changed and optimised.
• By working with our buying department, our suppliers and external partners, we are constantly looking for new and better packaging solutions.
• We aim to ensure that our product packaging does not contribute to environmental pollution and support the establishment of an effective recycling infrastructure in all our operating markets.