Aldi moves to 100% recycled plastic on own label soft drink and water bottles

rPet plastic will be used to package all Aldi-branded products found in the soft drinks section of its stores.

Aldi said that the move to 100% recycled content is project to save around 10,000 tonnes of virgin plastic per year and forms part of the retailer’s plan to include 50% recycled content into its plastic packaging across the business by 2025.

The move follows the decision by Aldi to launch an own brand wine range that is packaged in paper bottles​​, a first for UK supermarkets.

Using Frugalpac paper bottles that are made from 94% recycled paperboard, the retailer’s Cambalala South African Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc went on sale in Frugal Bottles on 18 March.

Plastics and packaging director at Aldi UK Luke Emery commented: “We know our customers care about how their food and drink is packaged, as well as how it is disposed of and where it goes next. This, coupled with the fact that the reuse of plastic packaging once it has been recycled is a critical industry-wide issue, means we’re doing all we can to reduce our impact.​

“Moving to recycled content on our soft drinks range forms part of our efforts to accelerate our progress on this journey. We also hope the new labelling we are introducing will help to remind customers to recycle their packaging after use so we can all do our bit to increase recycling rates in the UK.”​

Meanwhile, Helen Bird, head of material systems transformation at WRAP, said the organisation was delighted to see Aldi make such a move.

“Reaching the highest levels of recycled content can only be achieved through action and collaboration across the industry; ensuring packs are designed for optimal recycling, as well as engaging with citizens around how to recycle them,” ​Bird added.

In other news, the UK Government has announced plans for the introduction of a deposit return scheme from October 2027​​, pushing back the previously agreed date of October 2025.