UK – Budget supermarket chain, Aldi, has announced a partnership with recycling company TerraCycle to help customers in recycling their used Aldi-branded plastic and aluminium foil medicine packaging.
The initial trial of this recycling partnership commenced this week and will run across all Aldi stores in the UK.
Through this partnership, Aldi customers can now drop off their empty blister packs at designated TerraCycle recycling stations in selected Aldi stores.
These recycling stations will be located near the front of the stores, making it convenient for customers to recycle their packaging while shopping.
Aldi UK’s Plastics and Packaging director, Luke Emery, stated, “We are dedicated to reducing our impact on the environment and constantly seek innovative methods to encourage recycling whenever feasible.
“We hope our customers will participate in the trial and embrace this innovative method of recycling their empty blister packets.”
TerraCycle will collect the blister packs and process them for recycling into new products. The recycling process involves separating the plastic from the paper backing and other materials. The separated plastic can be melted down and used to create new plastic products.
Blister packs are typically made from a combination of materials, such as plastic, aluminum, and paper, making them difficult to recycle using traditional recycling methods.
TerraCycle Europe’s general manager, Julien Tremblin, added, “The removal of pharmaceutical packaging from landfills and incineration continues to be a key focus.
“We are delighted to work with Aldi on this new recycling scheme for medicine blister packs. This initiative will contribute to the development of a more sustainable and circular plastic packaging chain.”
By partnering with TerraCycle, Aldi aims to divert packaging materials from ending up in landfills and reduce the environmental impact of blister packs.
This initiative is part of Aldi’s broader commitment to sustainability and waste reduction. The company has set a goal to make 100% of its packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.
Both Aldi and TerraCycle hope that this partnership will raise awareness about the importance of recycling and encourage more consumers to participate in recycling initiatives.
By providing convenient recycling stations in their stores, Aldi aims to make it easier for customers to make sustainable choices and contribute to a greener future.
The supermarket chain is also a participant in the Podback recycling scheme, which allows its customers to recycle their used coffee, tea, and hot chocolate pods.
Aldi joined the Podback scheme in December of last year and claims to be the first supermarket to do so.
