ALDI Australia is doubling down on its commitment to plastics reduction by becoming a founding member of the ANZPAC Plastics Pact (ANZPAC).
As a founding member of the Pact, ALDI will support and implement solutions to eliminate unnecessary plastics and improve the recyclability and reusability of plastic packaging.
Daniel Baker, Director of Corporate Responsibility at ALDI Australia, says the decision to become a signatory demonstrates ALDI’s dedication to driving industry innovation to minimise plastics across the whole supply chain.
“We recognise the importance of acting now and our pledge to support the ANZPAC Plastics Pact ensures we strive to continually improve in the plastics space and going the extra mile with our goals,” he says.
About the Pact
The ANZPAC Plastics Pact brings together industry stakeholders to take action in creating a circular economy for plastics. The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has worked closely with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WRAP UK to develop the Pact.
The signatories will work to share knowledge and resources to lead the way in implementing solutions to achieve four ambitious goals by 2025:
- Eliminating unnecessary and problematic packaging through redesign, innovation and alternative delivery models.
- Reaching 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025.
- Increase plastic packaging collected and effectively recycled by at least 25% for each geography within the ANZPAC region.
- Averaging 25% recycled content in plastic packaging across the region.
The ANZPAC Plastics Pact represents the first of its kind in the Pacific region, joining fellow Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s pacts in North America, Latin America, Europe and Africa.
ALDI’s commitment welcomed
APCO CEO Brooke Donnelly says the organisation is excited to continue working in partnership with ALDI, “who are focussed on eradicating unnecessary plastics across the whole supply chain”.
“As a founding member, ALDI is leading the way on developing sustainable solutions and innovative practices that will lead to a better environmental outcome for the communities they serve,” she says.
In 2019, ALDI committed to reduce plastics and packaging by 25% by 2025. To support this goal, ALDI has already phased out unnecessary single-use plastics such as single use plastic tableware and plastic cotton buds from its range. The retailer claims these measures have saved 322 tonnes of plastic from entering the environment and avoided 357 million plastic cotton bud stems from ending up in landfill each year.