ALDI Australia commits to zero waste by 2025 with a focus on food waste, through recycling initiatives and circular economic practices.
Currently, Australia wastes more than 7.3 million tonnes of food every year. ALDI’s step to be more sustainable with their purchasing and end-of-life for products aligns with Australia’s National Waste Policy Action Plan.
The plan aims to reduce the total waste generated by Australians by 10% per person, which will overall half our organic wastage sent to landfill by 2030.
The way Australia is operating now costs our economy over $20 billion annually.
ALDI’s programmes to achieve this goal include;
- Food Rescue Program – will expand to reuse food for animals, once the food is deemed not suitable for human consumption.
- Market Buy Range – will feature seasonal fruits and vegetables that have minor imperfections. The range will empower farmers to sell more of their crops and avoid edible produce from going to waste.
- Damaged Pallets – will be sent to be chipped into backyard mulch once faulty
ALDI is also testing how customers can reduce their waste footprint through in-store recycling services in which common materials, like coffee capsules and soft plastics, can be recycled. This is in addition to ALDI’s battery recycling service, which has been available at every ALDI store since 2013.
Minister for the Environment, Susan Ley stated, “significant commitments like ALDI’s ‘zero waste to landfill’ show that Australia’s national waste targets are attainable if business and shoppers get behind them. With innovative solutions and practical measures we really can work to a future with less waste.”
Moreover, Daniel Baker, ALDI Australia’s Corporate Responsibility Director said each current and future motion taken to realise its zero-waste dedication has been fastidiously thought-about and considered to make sure the answer is each viable and has influence.
“Our commitment will see the business reduce the amount of waste created and reuse or recycle materials to cease unnecessary waste from being sent to landfill. It is our intention that collectively these actions will make a difference.”
This step by ALDI is similar to other large supermarket retailers such as Woolworths, who have commited to sustainability through similar actions to reduce their contributions to landfills.
