SA interview Aldi

As part of our Sustainability Awards Finalist Interview series, we spoke to national sustainability director at Aldi UK, Luke Emery, about its refill initiative for dry goods, nominated in the Commercialized Best Practice category.

You’re a finalist in the Sustainability Awards 2024. Congratulations! To start off, could you summarize your entry, in less than 50 words?

In 2023, Aldi teamed up with The Refill Coalition to launch a groundbreaking trial in the UK, replacing single-use packaging with scalable reusable alternatives. Now, customers can shop sustainably using their own containers for essentials like pasta, grains, and cereals - making sustainable choices easier than ever.

Why do you think the judges were impressed with your entry? Tell us about what is innovative about your project and/or about its impact on packaging sustainability.

Aldi’s Refill Coalition model is taking bold steps to combat single-use packaging at scale. By introducing reusable vessels, this model introduces a circular solution to reducing unnecessary waste, blending operational efficiency with sustainability.

Each refillable container can replace 10-12 standard cereal packs, significantly reducing packaging waste while also driving efficiencies in store with lower restocking times and streamlining logistics. We’re proud of the fact the model is unique at multiple stages, from supplier to store.

The model’s scalability presents an exciting opportunity to enhance sustainability across the sector. While currently trialled in select stores, the project is designed to be rolled out nationwide, offering a system which can be replicated across the industry.

Through addressing both business goals and sustainability targets, The Refill Coalition positions Aldi as a leader in packaging innovation with the potential to transform the retail industry’s approach to sustainability.

Finally, can you tell us about the ongoing development of your project, e.g. how your innovation/initiative has been received by the industry, or what the next steps are in commercialization/product development?

Since launching the initiative in October 2023, we’ve seen a strong and positive response from our customers, with many switching to refillable alternatives over traditionally packaged products. This shift reflects a growing awareness and commitment to sustainability among our customer base, who we know value options that enable them to reduce their environmental impact.

Supporting our customers in making sustainable choices remains central to our mission, and we are dedicated to expanding these efforts as part of our long-term strategy.

Now, just over a year since the project’s inception, we’re pleased to report that customer engagement remains strong. This continued interest not only reaffirms the importance of providing eco-friendly choices but also inspires us with the promising potential of collaborations like this.

The winners of the Sustainability Awards 2024 will be announced at the Sustainable Packaging Summit, taking place in Amsterdam on 12-13 November. The Summit mobilizes leaders of the FMCG value chain, policymakers, NGOs, recyclers and investors to collaborate, remove barriers and identify opportunities on the road to sustainable transformation.

To learn more or register, visit: https://www.packagingsummit.earth/2024

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