Aldi Denmark has saved around 118 tonnes of good fruit and vegetables from ending up in waste bins in four months through its association with the food waste prevention app 'Too Good To Go'.
The retailer shared the data along with an update on its achievements in packaging and food waste reduction over the past year.
Food Waste Prevention
Aldi Denmark sold more than 47,000 so-called 'bags of happiness' with fruit and vegetables, which would have previously been thrown away.
Finn Tang, CEO of Aldi Denmark, commented, "I am proud of our efforts in the food waste area. In 2020, 60% of our stores donated surplus food to local associations, and all stores sold 'bags of happiness' with fruit and vegetables at greatly reduced prices through the food waste app 'Too Good To Go'. In just four months, at the end of 2020, we and the customers have saved 118 tonnes of food."
Purchasing fruit and vegetables in bulk is another important element that Aldi Denmark uses to reduce food waste.
Packaging Targets
Aldi Denmark plans to offer 40% of its fruit and vegetables without packaging.
Currently, the group is working on an ambitious packaging strategy, focusing on virgin and recycled plastic.
"We are committed to ensuring that all our packaging is 100% recyclable before the end of 2024. It requires meticulous knowledge of each individual packaging, number of parts, the possibility of separating materials, etc. And we have also set a goal to reduce all packaging by 15%," said Katrine Milman, CSR manager at Aldi Denmark.
The retailer has set new targets for packaging, focusing on the quantity of recycled plastic and the use of virgin plastic in own-brand products.
Own brands are an essential part of Aldi's DNA and account for a significant share of the assortment at Aldi Denmark.
Milman added, "By the end of 2025, we will reduce the use of virgin plastic by 20%. And we will ensure at least 30% recycled plastic in all packaging. It requires a meticulous mapping of packaging and close cooperation between our suppliers and us."
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Conor Farrelly. For more Retail news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
