Retailer ALDI, who received an award in the Retail Packaging category of the 2008 Evolution Awards takes packaging waste very seriously.
ALDI is a very lean organisation, driven by cost reduction like any other. But it’s still highly passionate about corporate responsibility, which of course includes sustainability.
“ALDI’s 2008 Evolution Awards win is well deserved," says Anthony Peyton, Director of Green Chip, a consultancy that has been working to helping the retailer with its NPC obligations over the last few years.
Peyton points to ALDI’s philosophy as the reason for the company’s winning edge. “In terms of business culture, the company is quite unique,” he observes.
“ALDI takes the position that it’s important to go beyond the cost savings and to be proactive about saving the planet.”
"ALDI has been making efforts to report the relevant data and is now ready to move to the next stage of developing systems to really advance its achievements in packaging waste management.
“Working towards ‘Green’ is just a reality these days,” Peyton adds. “While there’s cost savings involved, going green is driven by consumers who are not only asking for green packaging, but green products as well.
"ALDI aims to be recognised as the greenest supermarket chain in Australia.”
In terms of future strategy, Peyton says the retailer now has preferred packaging guidelines for suppliers which will be applied throughout the ALDI supply chain.
“ALDI is looking to develop further partnerships with suppliers, with the innovation starting with educating them about how we can do better together,” he says.
“Many suppliers are still unsure about what sustainable packaging actually means. We’re trying to help the supply chain understand what it is and go through that learning process with the buyers. Over time, things will continue to change and hopefully we’ll see some good outcomes in the next couple of years.”
Are you a retailer with an exceptional packaging waste or sustainable design project?
Enter the Evolution Awards now!
Download the Entry kit by clicking on Awards at www.packagingmag.com.au or call Anna Game-Lopata on 02 9422 2645 anna.game-lopata@reedbusiness.com.au
Deadline for Entries 10 June.
The Evolution Awards, created by Packaging Magazine at Reed Business Information, has been awarding National Packaging Covenant (NPC) signatories (and some others) for outstanding achievements in packaging waste management and sustainable design since 2006.
We are still the only packaging awards in Australia that specifically works with the NPC to reward achievements in the area of reducing packaging waste to landfill.
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