Aldi announces plans to replace traditional plastic bags with paper and compostable versions

The switch could help reduce plastic pollution by up to 1,300 tonnes per year

Aldi has announced plans to scrap traditional plastic bags from all its stores in favour of paper and biodegradable versions.

From July, the German supermarket will be offering paper bags at half of its UK stores, while the other half will offer compostable bags as part of a trial.

Once the trial ends, the most popular choice will be selected as Aldi’s permanent shopping bags.

The retailer’s new compostable bags are made of biodegradable material, called Bioplast, and are designed to be 100 per cent compostable within 12 months.

The Bioplast bags will retail in-store for 6p, while the paper bags will be sold for 19p each.

Aldi estimates that the change could help reduce plastic pollution by up to 1,300 tonnes each year.

Speaking of the trial, Fritz Walleczek, managing director of corporate responsibility at Aldi, said: “Reducing the amount of plastic we produce is fundamental to our commitment to being a sustainable and environmentally responsible business.

“Cutting waste is part of Aldi’s DNA and we are constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental impact.

“This new trial is one of the biggest we have ever launched because we want our customers to be involved and help us make the right decision for them and the environment.”

Earlier this week, Sainsbury’s announced it is due to become the UK’s first supermarket to remove plastic bags for all loose fruit, veg and bakery items.

As of September, customers will be able to make use of paper bags while shopping in the bakery section and can use their own bags or buy reusable ones when purchasing fruit and veg.

The supermarket claims the move will reduce its plastic output by 489 tonnes.

Sainsbury’s has also vowed to remove plastic cutlery from its stores in addition to plastic lids from cream pots and plastic trays for tomatoes and carrots.

Mike Coupe, Sainsbury’s CEO said: “We are absolutely committed to reducing unnecessary plastic packaging in Sainsbury’s stores.

“Our customers expect us to be leading the way on major issues like this, so I am determined to remove and replace plastic packaging where we can and offer alternatives to plastic where packaging is still required to protect a product.”

You can find more information on what UK supermarkets are doing to tackle plastic pollution and food waste here.