Aldi set to replace all plastic straws with recyclable paper
4.5m plastic straws removed annually
Print23 March 2021
Aldi is introducing new, fully recyclable paper straws across its own-label Kids Smoothies and Orange/Apple Juice Cartons, becoming the first supermarket in Ireland to do so.
The move sees more than 4.5 million single-use plastic straws removed from Aldi’s 145 stores each year, which equates to a saving of three tonnes of non-recyclable plastic.
The initiative supports the government’s plan to fully remove all plastic straws from circulation in Ireland by July 2021 under its ‘Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy’.
Aldi has already begun rolling out the new sustainable paper straw across its own label Kids Real Fruit Smoothies and Orange/Apple Juice Cartons across 145 stores nationwide. The aim of the project is to have all plastic straws completely removed from Aldi supermarkets by the end of June 2021.
Aldi has been working with its Donegal-based supplier Mulrines over the past two years to introduce the new fully recyclable paper straws. The initiative is part of Aldi’s long-term plastic reduction programme, which is working to ensure 100% of Aldi’s own-label packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by the end of 2022, and to reduce plastic packaging on Aldi products by 50% by 2025.
“Switching to new fully recyclable paper straws across our own-label products is another step towards our sustainability goals,” said John Curtin, Aldi Group buying director. “We understand our customers are always looking for new ways to shop sustainably with us and we’re proud to be the first supermarket to fully remove plastic straws from our own-label products.”
Since introducing its plastic-reduction strategy, Aldi has removed more than 2,053 tonnes of virgin plastic from its 145 Irish stores in addition to replacing almost 930 tonnes of non-recyclable material with recyclable alternatives.
Over the past year, successesful measures have included becoming the first retailer in Ireland to introduce 100% recyclable packaging across our own brand White Family Pan and 100% Wholemeal Sliced Pan, removing over 18 tonnes of plastic, Aldi also became the first retailer to introduce 100% recycled PET water bottles across its own-label water range, a change which affects more than 30 million water bottles each year. Other firsts included becoming the first retailer to trial 100% home compostable bags across its 1kg Irish Rooster Potato range; and becoming the first retailer in Ireland to fully remove all black plastic from core food ranges.
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