Aldi ends packaging-free store trial

Aldi has scrapped its packaging-free store trial. The discounter launched its packaging-free trial at its store in Ulverston, Cumbria (UK), last year aiming to reduce waste and encourage sustainable shopping. Eight dispensers were located within the store, allowing shoppers to fill up free recyclable paper bags with products like rice and pasta.

The retailer said that extending the initiative could save 130 tons of plastic each year which would add to the retailer’s previous pledge to halve the volume of its plastic packaging by 2025, removing a further 74,000 tons of plastic from circulation.

As Aldi focuses on its next steps, Tesco has also ended its one-year in-store trial with zero-waste refill service, Loop which allowed shoppers to buy products in reusable packaging.