In an effort to reduce plastic waste pollution, Aldi UK has recently unveiled a traceability scheme, aimed at managing the 300 tonnes of post-consumer flexible plastic packaging collecting annually. This initiative marks a significant step in the company’s ongoing commitment to the environment and underlines the organization’s determination to address the escalating issue of plastic waste.
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The Flexible Plastic Fund
The success of the scheme is attributed to the Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF). This initiative aims to understand how flexible packaging from households can be recycled across the UK, improve and increase flexible plastic recycling infrastructure and provide critical support to supermarkets in giving value to flexible plastics so they are properly recycled, while independently tracking and verifying the flow of plastic materials for recycling.
The FPF is a collaborative fund, established in May 2021 by five founding partners: Mars UK, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever. Since then, it has been joined by a further 15 UK consumer goods’ manufacturers, including Abel & Cole, Ella’s Kitchen, Kiddylicious, and Ocado Retail, among others.
The Technology Behind the Scheme
Aldi’s scheme was based on Greenback Recycling Technologies and the implementation of eco2Veritas, an AI-powered evidence system designed to monitor the recycling process comprehensively.
Eco2Veritas serves as the backbone of Aldi’s traceability scheme, tracking and certifying the quantity of flexible plastic that is collected, the sorting process, the resultant polymers, and the final destination of the recycled materials. This level of detail, not only ensures the integrity and transparency of the recycling process, but also facilitates informed decision-making and resource allocation.
How the Traceability Scheme Operates
Flexible plastic packaging is sourced directly from consumers, through strategically positioned front-of-store collection points, which create easy-access for consumers to dispose their plastic waste. Aldi’s approach emphasizes on traceability throughout the entire recycling journey, ensuring transparency and accountability at every stage of the process.
The flexible plastic material, after being collected, tracked and certified by eco2Veritas, the operating AI system, it is then entrusted to plastics recycler Jayplas, where it undergoes sorting into Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP). After sorting, the material is pelletized, and PE is used to make refuse sacks, while PP is used to make crates and trays.
Gareth Morton, Project Lead at Ecosurety (which manages FPF), congratulated the collective efforts of Aldi, Greenback, and Jayplas in setting this innovative initiative into motion. He further explained that: “It’s been a while in the making – from exploring options and building trust with the industry, to developing the eco2Veritas certification platform which tracks everything and gives everyone confidence in the process and outcomes.”.
Aldi’s Recycling Efforts
In a significant milestone, Aldi managed to successfully recycle 62 tonnes of PE and 25 tonnes of PP over the course of several months in 2023. The recycling process is ongoing, with additional tonnes expected to be evaluated in the near future.
Luke Emery, Aldi UK’s Plastic and Packaging Director, expressed the company’s commitment to tackling the issue of plastic waste, emphasizing the alignment of this initiative with Aldi’s customers’ priorities for recycling. By collaborating with the Flexible Plastic Fund, Aldi aims to optimize the recycling of flexible plastics collected in its stores, driving meaningful progress towards a circular economy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Aldi’s traceability scheme for post-consumer flexible plastic packaging represents an important win in the ongoing challenge of reducing the environmental footprint within the retail sector. By harnessing the technology of eco2Veritas and prioritizing transparency and environmental sustainability, Aldi sets a proper example, which we hope will inspire others to embrace similar innovative and ecological solutions.
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