Aldi has moved its entire own-label soft drinks category to be packaged in 100% recycled plastic, marking a first for the UK grocery sector.
Aldi says it is the first supermarket to move to 100% recycled plastic for its own-brand soft drinks and bottled water range, excluding the cap and label, in England and Wales.
The German discounter – which recently came seventh in a ranking list of the country’s most eco-friendly supermarkets – said switching the bottles to being made from 100% recycled plastic is expected to save around 10,000 tonnes of virgin plastic annually.
The move forms part of the supermarket’s target to include 50% recycled content into its plastic packaging across the business by 2025.
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Luke Emery, plastics and packaging director, Aldi UK, said: “We know our customers care about how their food and drink is packaged, as well as how it is disposed of and where it goes next.
“This, coupled with the fact that the reuse of plastic packaging once it has been recycled is a critical industry-wide issue, means we’re doing all we can to reduce our impact.
“Moving to recycled content on our soft drinks range forms part of our efforts to accelerate our progress on this journey. We also hope the new labelling we are introducing will help to remind customers to recycle their packaging after use so we can all do our bit to increase recycling rates in the UK.”
Helen Bird, head of material systems transformation at WRAP, said the recycling organisation was “delighted” to see UK Plastics Pact member, Aldi, transitioning all their own-label soft drinks and bottled water to 100% recycled content.
“Reaching the highest levels of recycled content can only be achieved through action and collaboration across the industry; ensuring packs are designed for optimal recycling, as well as engaging with citizens around how to recycle them,” she added.
The move follows Aldi’s recent launch of the UK’s first supermarket own-brand paper wine bottles.
The supermarket has replaced the glass bottles for its Cambalala South African Shiraz and South African Sauvignon Blanc with packaging made from 94% recycled paperboard, lined with a food-grade pouch to contain the wine.
