Aldi shoppers in Greater Manchester chosen for new paper carrier bag trial

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

The Aldi store on Entwisle Road, Rochdale

Aldi stores in the Rochdale borough will be introducing paper bags as part of a pioneering new trial that could help to save up to 1,300 tonnes of plastic each year in the UK.

From July, shoppers at Aldi’s 59 stores in Greater Manchester will have more choice at the checkout with the option of a paper carrier bag, available for 19p.

The new reusable paper bags are sourced from sustainably managed forests and are strong enough to carry up to 11kg of groceries.

At the end of the trial, the option most popular with customers will be selected to roll out across the UK and offered alongside Aldi’s other reusable bags. 

Aldi expects that a significant amount of plastic will be saved when the successful trial rolls out nationally. The bag that is introduced across all stores could help to save up to 1,300 tonnes of plastic per year, which is the equivalent of 33.3 million carrier bags.

Later this summer, customers in Greater Manchester will also be able to choose from even more sustainable options when the supermarket launches two further bags which include a new reusable bag made entirely from Aldi back of store waste, as well as a reusable cotton alternative.

Fritz Walleczek, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibly at Aldi, said: “Reducing the amount of plastic we produce is fundamental to our commitment to being a sustainable and environmentally responsible business. This trial will enable us to work with shoppers in Greater Manchester to identify what works for them so that we can find the best long-term solution.”

“Cutting waste is part of Aldi’s DNA and we are constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental impact. This new trial is one of the biggest we have ever launched because we want our customers in to be involved and help us make the right decision for them and the environment.”

The trial in Greater Manchester is part of Aldi’s wider efforts to cut plastic across all of its UK stores.

Alongside the trial, the supermarket has also set out two new plastic and packaging pledges:

• Aim to remove difficult to recycle packaging including expanded polystyrene, PVC and non-detectable black plastic from its core food range by the end of 2020.
• Aim to reduce plastic packaging by 25% by the end of 2023.