Aldi has announced its plans to trail 12 new loose fruit and vegetable items to reduce unnecessary packaging.
If the trial is successful, the supermarket chain will remove an estimated 445 tonnes of packaging per year.
The national sustainability director for Aldi, Luke Emery said: “We are constantly looking for new ways to reduce unnecessary packaging and this trial is another example of the significant steps we’re taking in this area.”
He added: “By trialling these packaging-free product lines, we hope this encourages customers to make more environmentally friendly choices when shopping in-store. By helping shoppers to buy only what they need, we’re not just reducing packaging, but helping to cut food waste too.
12 new fruits and vegetables will be sold in-store loose
Aldi
The following items are now available to buy loose:
- Parsnips
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Brown onions
- Red onions
- Ginger
- Pears
- Salad tomatoes
- Limes
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Garlic
Director of behaviour change and business programmes at the waste & resources action programme (WRAP), Catherine David said: “A household of four throws away on average £1,000 of food each year, costing the planet’s precious resources, and people’s pockets.
“By selling more items loose, people will be able to buy only what they need, save money and cut the use of single-use packaging – a real win-win-win!”
WRAP aims to push companies to have 50 per cent of uncut fruits and vegetables sold loose by the end of 2030.
The new loose items join several items Aldi currently offers without packaging including potatoes and peppers.
If successful, Aldi could cut 445 tonnes of packaging
ALDI
The trial will be tried in stores across:
- County Durham
- Cumbria
- North Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
- Northumberland
- Tyne & Wear
