Aldi commits to halving plastic packaging by 2025

Supermarket chain Aldi have committed to halving the amount of plastic packaging used in its products by 2025.

This new target is in addition to existing pledges, which will see the company achieving 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging for its own-brand products by 2022, and for all products by 2025. They claim this will eliminate 2.2 billion pieces of plastic – around 74,000 tonnes – over the next five years.

CEO Giles Hurley said “We are stepping up our efforts to reduce the amount of plastic packaging used across our business because it is the right thing to do for a sustainable future. We know this issue matters to our customers too and are confident they will support our initiatives to reduce plastic in the coming years”. Earlier this year Hurley warned suppliers that the targets were “non-negotiable”.

Hurley added “We can only achieve our long-term plastic reduction targets with support from suppliers. The response we have received so far has been extremely positive and we look forward to working with them to develop further innovative packaging solutions.”

Annual progress will be reported on the Aldi press centre website.