Germany’s Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd have published an interim report on their companies’ sustainability progress, following the goals that were established by the retailers in 2016.
Last year's sustainability report marked the start of a ‘transparent and open dialogue’ on the retailers' engagement, which has been updated in the interim report.
Realising Goals
In an effort to increase sustainability, Aldi Nord has significantly expanded its range of bio products. More than 500 products from ecological cultivation were offered in Aldi Nord’s supermarkets in 2016, along with over 70 private label Fairtrade items.
“We keep our word - the developments in sustainability prove this,” said Rayk Mende, CEO of corporate responsibility of Aldi Nord. “We are successfully working on the realisation of our goals and face new challenges to act responsibly in the future as well.”
Environmental Protection
Aldi Süd also made progress on its goals for sustainability and environmental protection. The retailer increased its share of sustainable coffee to 40% of the coffee sold in stores overall.
In addition, the palm oil used in Aldi Süd’s food products has been changed to RSPO-certified palm oil. The RSPO is a central organisation that promotes sustainable cultivation methods for this resource.
“One year after the publication of the first sustainability report, we can see many positive results nationally as well as internationally,” said Sven van den Boomen, CEO of corporate responsibility of Aldi Süd.
“Since the beginning of 2017, Aldi Süd has been one of the first German retailers to operate entirely climate-neutral. The same goes for Aldi Suisse in Switzerland and Hofer in Austria. We are taking many steps internationally to reduce the companies’ carbon footprint permanently.”
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Larissa Zimmer. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
