The ALDI SOUTH Group together with the ALDI Nord Group, developed an updated International Recyclability Guideline in cooperation with the cyclos-HTP institute. The Guideline was first published in May 2022 and is intended to provide guidance and support for suppliers as well as national and international buying departments to source recyclable packaging.
The growing demand for sustainable packaging and the reduction of raw material use poses a real challenge for retailers. As packaging is an indispensable part of our everyday lives, it is essential that ALDI makes all our own-brand product packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable.
To deliver on our 2025 commitments, ALDI introduced the International Recyclability Guideline to help communicate our recyclability requirements.
Our guideline now presents a global “Acceptance Overview” for each packaging format to specify which format is accepted or not. This will simplify decision-making processes in ALDI’s supply chain, allowing ALDI to further specify requirements for well-designed packaging and push for the infrastructure (collection, sorting, recycling) required for a functioning circular economy.
ALDI is also taking a stricter stance on what packaging is no longer accepted by introducing a new list of non-recyclable formats. Additionally, the updated guideline highlights certain packaging formats (i.e., nets and capsules) where recycling and Design-for-Recycling requirements are often perceived differently throughout our markets to clarify ALDI’s requirements.
Due to regulatory developments, eco-modulation criteria per country has also been updated. The guideline will also be subject to further updates to reflect future technological and regulatory developments.
This update contributes to ALDI’s ambitious targets towards circular economy for packaging.
