Back to basics: Aldi stores to ditch plastic and return to paper bags

Aldi stores are taking a step back to the 1960s and early ’70s and ditching plastic in favour of classic paper bags, as the supermarket chain trials an environmentally friendly option in a bid to reduce waste across the United Kingdom.

The popular supermarket chain will cut out all plastic bags throughout the UK, instead replacing half with paper bags and the others with compostable carrier bags, The Mirror reports.

From July onwards, Aldi stores will run a trial of the bags to gauge which option customers prefer. Once the trial is complete, the most popular bag will be rolled out across the UK and offered alongside the supermarket’s other reusable bags.

Many Baby Boomers will fondly remember filling up big paper bags to get their groceries home, before plastic ones were rolled out in the 1970s across the world – and it seems there could be a large-scale return to the old ways.

Meanwhile, the compostable bags are made of bio-degradable material that breaks down completely within 12 months.

Speaking about the decision, managing director of corporate responsibility at Aldi, Fritz Walleczek, said the company’s main aim is to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

“Reducing the amount of plastic we produce is fundamental to our commitment to being a sustainable and environmentally responsible business,” he told The Mirror.

“Cutting waste is part of Aldi’s DNA and we are constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental impact.”

Wallaczek added: “This new trial is one of the biggest we have ever launched because we want our customers to be involved and help us make the right decision for them and the environment.”

The announcement follows the decision by Coles and Woolworths last year to ban all plastic bags across Australia in hopes of also reducing waste in the country. Instead of offering free plastic bags, customers now have the choice of bringing their own in, or buying reusable ones ranging from 15 cents to $2.

Read more: Plastic bag backlash: One in five shoppers steal reusable bags

The supermarkets have faced a lot of criticism for their decision, with statistics previously revealing one in five Aussies have admitted to stealing reusable bags from the checkout.

A survey by Canstar Blue, released late last year, found a significant number of Australians were struggling to adjust to the national plastic bag ban initiated by Coles and Woolworths in June 2018, with many stubborn shoppers refusing to fork out 15 cents for a reusable bag.

About 19 per cent of shoppers saw reusable bags as “fair game” and admitted to stealing them at the checkout. Canstar said the majority of the thieves are aged between 18-29.

Canstar Blue Editor Simon Downes told Starts at 60 that some Aussies had been struggling with the change and didn’t believe they should have to pay for something they previously got for free.

“It’s these people who clearly see reusable bags as fair game for them to just go ahead and steal,” he said. “I imagine that there is that resentment from some shoppers who are frustrated by it and just think well ‘I don’t way to pay for these, I’m just going to take them for free’.”

Do you remember the days using paper bags? Do you think other supermarkets should follow suit and change to paper bags?