The new initiative will save 6.5 million single-use units of non-recyclable waste.
Aldi Ireland has become the first supermarket in the country to officially ban the use of non-detectable black plastic trays from its fresh beef range.
In their place, new 100% recyclable packaging trays have been introduced across the entire range, saving over 6.5 million single-use units of non-recyclable waste per year.
The move comes as part of the supermarket chain's commitment to remove all non-detectable black plastic trays, expanded polystyrene trays and PVC from all own-brand product packaging by 2020.
It follows Aldi’s recent cutting of similar packaging
from its fruit and vegetables and fresh fish ranges, in line with the commitment to implement long-term plastic reduction throughout its 139 stores.
The overall goal is to reduce plastic packaging across Aldi's product range by 25% by the end of 2023.
Aldi is also working to ensure that 100% of its own label packaging will be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2022, achieving a 50% reduction - relative to 2015 levels - in packaging across its own-label products by 2025.
"We are working to reduce the use of unnecessary and hard to recycle plastic packaging across our own-label ranges," confirmed Group Buying Director John Curtin.
"To be the first supermarket in Ireland to remove black plastic trays from its beef products is another positive step towards achieving our long-term goal of removing all black plastic from our own-label products by the end of 2020."
