Aiming to remove 78 tonnes of virgin plastic annually, Aldi is incorporating a minimum of 35% recycled content into its Specially Selected Hand Cooked crisp range, with its own-label popcorn and lentil chip ranges set to follow later this year.
The new crisp packets have already rolled out across the UK. They are expected to help the retailer implement 50% recycled content into its plastic packaging by 2025.
Luke Emery, Plastics and Packaging director at Aldi, commented: “At Aldi, we are continuously making changes when it comes to reducing plastic waste, and we know how important this is to our customers too.
“Increasing the recycled content in our crisp packaging is just one way we are helping our customers to reduce their environmental impact, with all these little changes adding up to make an even bigger difference.”
The move is another step in Aldi’s efforts to cut down on plastic packaging in its operations. A recent development comes in the form of a trial, in which Aldi is replacing plastic bags with paper bands to package its banana products – a transition expected to remove 234 tonnes of plastic packaging every year, if successful.
Its own-brand soft drinks and bottled water ranges were also said to be the first in England and Wales to transition into 100% recycled PET (excluding caps and labels) last month.
In other crisp-related news, PepsiCo Europe is supporting investment to scale GreenDot’s recycling solutions and incorporate the resultant plastic recyclate into its snacks packaging – aligining with its plans to remove all virgin fossil-based plastic in all its crisp and chip bags by 2030.
Also, KP Snacks’ Tyrrells crisp range – specifically 150g bags of its Lightly Sea Salted, Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar, Sweet Chilli & Red Pepper, and Mature Cheddar & Chive flavours – will now contain 25% recycled soft plastics in hopes of lowering the brand’s reliance on virgin plastics.
If you liked this story, you might also enjoy:
How are the top brands progressing on packaging sustainability?
The ultimate guide to global plastic sustainability regulation
No comments yet