This article first appeared on Convenience & Impulse Retailing, authored by Deborah Jackson

Aldi Australia is entering a strategic partnership with plastic recycler and sustainable packaging manufacturer, Pact Group.

The partnership will support Aldi’s transition to more sustainable packaging options and is expected to drive progress towards its ambition to achieve at least a 50 per cent inclusion of recycled material in packaging by 2025.

Aldi has identified beverage bottles as a key priority and has an immediate goal to include a minimum of 25 per cent recycled plastic content across its range. Once achieved, this is expected to remove around 1,500 tonnes of virgin plastic from Aldi’s exclusive brand beverage products.

Through its partnership with Pact, Aldi will improve the rigid plastic packaging that is used in its exclusive brands, such as milk bottles, meat trays, fruit and vegetable punnets, beverage bottles and health, beauty, and cleaning products.

Aldi Australia managing director of buying Oliver Bongardt said as one of Australia’s largest grocery retailers, Aldi understands the important role it plays in improving the circularity of its product packaging.

“As part of our commitment to Making a Good Difference, we are aiming to reduce plastic in packaging by 25 per cent and to include a minimum of 50 per cent recycled materials in our packaging by 2025,” Bongardt said.

“We’re confident working with an industry leader in circular packaging like Pact Group, will tip the scale and push us closer towards meeting our commitments.”

Pact will also work with Aldi’s supplier partners to redesign existing packaging in smarter more efficient ways, further reducing plastic and ensuring all materials used in packaging can be fully recycled.

Pact Group CEO Sanjay Dayal said the partnership demonstrates Pact’s recycling and manufacturing capabilities and will deliver results for businesses that are demanding more sustainable packaging.

“Recycled plastic packaging that is designed and manufactured effectively, recycled properly, and disposed of correctly is the key to building a successful circular economy, and we’re delighted to be working with Aldi in this way,” he added.