Discount Retail Chain Aldi Ireland (German family owned) has announced plans to remove coloured plastic caps from its milk cartons in a bid to further improve the recyclability of its products.
As part of the initiative the retailer says its private label 'Clonbawn`branded milk products will now come with clear caps, which are easier to recycle.
The rollout, which will take place on a phased basis, has already commenced across 500ml and 1-litre milk products, as well as cream lines, with other products to follow over the coming months.
Aldi says it has been working with its long-standing suppliers including Lakelands Dairies from County Monaghan, Strathroy Dairies from Tyrone, and Aurivo in Sligo, on the programme.
It is estimated the introduction of the clear tops will result in an additional 70 tonnes per year of recycled High-Density Polythene (rHDPE) being turned back into food-grade packaging, as the tops will be reused to create new milk cartons.
Luke Emery, Plastics and Packaging Director at Aldi, said: "We have pledged that all of our packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, and this switch from coloured to clear caps across our milk products is the latest step we are taking. With this switch to clear milk tops, it means they are now easier to recycle, and they can be turned back into new packaging.
“We know it’s becoming increasingly important to our customers that their everyday products are environmentally-friendly, as it is to us, and we are constantly reviewing ways to become a more sustainable business.”
Aldi says it is committed to reducing the amount of plastic used across its 160-strong store network in Ireland as part of its ongoing carbon reduction programme.
To date, the German-owned company has removed more than 2,150-tonnes of virgin plastic from its Irish store network and replaced 930-tonnes of unrecyclable material with recyclable alternatives as part of its pledge for all packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
