Aldi has begun trialling double-volume toilet rolls in a bid to reduce plastic waste while also cutting carbon emissions.
As the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket, Aldi is to reduce plastic packaging waste by doubling the volume of sheets per roll on select own-brand lines.
With more packs able to fit into trucks, the new double rolls will also reduce the number of lorry journeys required and, therefore, cut carbon emissions.
Aldi plastics and packaging director Luke Emery said: “At Aldi, we’re working hard to reduce our environmental footprint wherever we can, and we’re always looking for new ways to make a difference”.
“Reducing the plastic waste and carbon emissions related to such a widely-used product will have a huge positive impact, and it’s just one example of some exciting changes we have in the pipeline.”
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The trial is taking place in the West Midlands, East Midlands and Yorkshire, with double toilet rolls available to buy in four, six, eight and twelve packs.
If rolled out across all stores, Aldi could save over 60 tonnes of plastic packaging each year.
On average, one person uses up to 21,000 sheets of toilet roll a year, according to My Oceans.
Aldi’s new double-length rolls have 400 sheets, meaning the average person four-person household will now only need to buy 210 rolls a year instead of 420.
In terms of a six-pack of toilet paper, that same four-person household will only have to dispose of 35 packs worth of plastic instead of 70 packs worth.