In a muscly demonstration of solidarity with the environment of the planet, the CEO of the Aldi grocery chain sent a strongly written letter to suppliers informing them that anyone looking to sell to Aldi must package their products in 100% recyclable, compostable, or reusable material by 2025.

This extends their corporate responsibility pledge of 2018 which vowed that all Aldi branded items must come in the same sustainable packaging by 2022.

CEO Giles Hurley says now that 2,700 tons of plastic and 3,700 tons of non-recyclable material had been saved already since 2018, but that “much more was needed,” adding that the move to sustainability is “non-negotiable,” and that buying decisions moving forward “will be based on our supply partners’ ability to lead and adapt in this area.”

The letter, continued, “Following receipt of this letter, your Aldi buying director will contact you directly to discuss what tangible actions you will take… (and) actively explore all opportunities to develop more innovative packaging solutions and deliver on our packaging commitments.”

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Aldi is further committing time and resources to tackling the unsustainability of grocery store packaging by preparing to join the ranks of grocery chains that offer a reuse and refill scheme that will allow customers to return to Aldi with containers previously purchased and refill them from dispensers.

Another area of Aldi operations that is getting a makeover is the plastic bag situation. Aldi already eliminated single-use plastic bags, with reusable produce bags offered in 250 stores, but they are now preparing to make the switch to this model across all 870 locations worldwide.

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Continually pushing both his own operations and those of his suppliers, the letter stated that improved cardboard sleeves for packs of tuna cans were a “great start” but that: “We want to work with you to trial alternative materials, innovate new packaging solutions and crucially be open-minded to all options.

“I look forward to seeing the progress that we can achieve together, in this business-critical area,” Hurley concludes.

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