Aldi removes all plastics from toy range

Aldi has announced it is removing all plastic packaging from its entire wooden toy range.
The supermarket’s upcoming Specialbuy range includes 26 different items, including wooden medical carts and pirate ships, and is available in stores from 31 October.

The wooden toy range was originally launched in 2016 and has proved “popular” with customers looking for unusual and sustainable Christmas gifts.

Shoppers can also pick up giant soft toys, which have also had their plastic packaging removed, while an eco plush toy, made from recycled plastic bottles, will also go on sale.

Available either as a bear in Aldi uniform or a selection of endangered animals, including a Galapagos penguin, sea turtle and blue whale, the eco plush toys are made from 100% recycled polyester.

The changes across Aldi’s toy range will result in a 54 tonne reduction in plastic packaging each year. It has been achieved by a number of changes, including substituting paper tape for plastic, and replacing bubble wrap with paper wrap, meaning the range’s packaging is now made from 93% recyclable materials.

Aldi also committed to halve the total volume of plastic packaging it uses by 2025. This will see the supermarket remove 74,000 tonnes of plastic packaging from products over the next four years.

Richard Gorman, plastics and packaging director at Aldi UK, said: “Eradicating waste is a key part of Aldi’s Better Everyday sustainability strategy, and removing unnecessary plastic from our packaging is a fundamental part of that.

“In 2018, we pledged that all our packaging would be recyclable, compostable or re-usable by the end of 2022, so we’re continually reviewing all of our product ranges to remove unnecessary packaging. It’s by making small changes, like removing packaging plastic from our Specialbuy toys, that we’ll achieve our goal.”