ALDI Australia is focusing on its commitment to plastics reduction through becoming a founding member of the ANZPAC Plastics Pact.
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has worked closely with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WRAP UK to develop the ANZPAC Plastics Pact. The Pact brings together industry stakeholders to act in creating a circular economy for plastics.
Alongside APCO and other industry signatories, ALDI will work to share knowledge and resources to implement solutions to eliminate unnecessary plastics and improve the recyclability and reusability of plastic packaging.
As a member of the ANZPAC Plastics Pact, ALDI will support the Pact to achieve four goals by 2025. These include:
- Eliminating unnecessary and problematic packaging through redesign, innovation and alternative delivery models
- Reaching 100 per cent of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025
- Increase plastic packaging collected and effectively recycled by at least 25 per cent for each geography within the ANZPAC region
- Averaging 25 per cent recycled content in plastic packaging across the region.
The ANZPAC Plastics Pact represents the first of its kind in the Pacific region, joining fellow Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s pacts in North America, Latin America, Europe and Africa.
“APCO are excited to continue working in partnership with ALDI, who are focused on eradicating unnecessary plastics across the whole supply chain. As a founding member, ALDI is leading the way on developing sustainable solutions and innovative practices that will lead to a better environmental outcome for the communities they serve,” APCO CEO Brooke Donnelly said.
ALDI’s decision to become a signatory demonstrates the dedication to driving industry innovation to minimise plastics across the whole supply chain.
“We recognise the importance of acting now and our pledge to support the ANZPAC Plastics Pact ensures we strive to continually improve in the plastics space and go the extra mile with our goals,” ALDI Australia director of Corporate Responsibility Daniel Baker said.
In 2019, ALDI committed to reduce plastics and packaging by 25 per cent by 2025. To support this goal, ALDI has already phased out unnecessary single-use plastics such as single use plastic tableware and plastic cotton buds from its range, saving 322 tonnes of plastic from entering the environment and avoiding 357 million plastic cotton bud stems from ending up in landfill each year.
ALDI Australia joins ALDI UK and ALDI US in committing to robust plastics reduction strategies via the ANZPAC Plastics Pact, reaffirming ALDI’s efforts internationally in lessening its plastic footprint.