This is as part of efforts to make shopping at Aldi “as green as possible”.
Aldi Ireland has announced it will remove all outer cardboard boxes from its fresh beef, lamb, pork, poultry range, as well as from selected fish lines.
The supermarket chain says the move will mean over 2,300 tonnes less packaging will be used in its stores each year, saving an equivalent of 4.2 million kg in carbon emissions annualy.
“Working with its Irish suppliers, Aldi’s fresh meat, fish, and poultry ranges will be transported to stores in reusable crates, eliminating the need for cardboard boxes on shelves,” a statement from the supermarket chain said.
“The crates will be cleaned and returned to the producer to be used repeatedly.”
The move is the latest improvement as part of the supermarket chain’s long-term plastic and packaging reduction programme.
This is working to reduce plastic packaging on all Aldi products by 50% by 2025 and to ensure 100% of Aldi’s own-label packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by the end of next year.
The supermarket chain is also set to introduce new energy-saving chiller doors to its new and newly refurbished stores, which will reduce each store’s energy consumption by approximately 20%.
This is the equivalent to a carbon emissions saving of up to 20 tonnes per store each year.
Aldi Group Buying Director John Curtin said: “The new reduced packaging and energy initiatives announced today highlight the importance of not just making our products more eco-friendly, but also the way we present and transport them in stores.
“We are looking at every aspect of our supply chain to find packaging and energy savings and to make sure when shopping at Aldi it’s as green as possible.”
Main image via Aldi
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