Clear words when it comes to sustainability: ALDI Spain

Clear words when it comes to sustainability: ALDI Spain

With modern customer communication methods, ALDI Spain can both respond to the changing sustainability and environmental concerns of its customers and raise awareness of these issues.

Communications through our ALDI Contigo and our social media channels signalled a rising awareness of animal welfare issues and environmental concerns. Therefore, we concentrated our efforts on animal welfare, healthy food choices and the reduction of plastic pollution.

Since 2019, we have offered products with the Welfair™certification (non-processed chicken, eggs and milk), which goes beyond the legal requirements and takes all phases of production into account. This certification follows the four principles of Good Feeding, Good Housing, Good Health and Appropriate Behaviour. It is based on the Welfare Quality Standards and AWIN.

Customer demand for lactose-free and gluten-free products led us to clearly designate these items with external labels. Our buyers are working on the progressive reduction of sugar, salt and fats according to the NAOS Strategy from the Spanish Ministry of Health.

In 2019, we set out a clear path for reducing plastic in our stores, following impulses from both our customers and non-governmental organisations such as Greenpeace. We set out multiple measures to reach our 2025 targets of reduction of plastic in our packaging and our products by 20 per cent. We also want to guarantee that 100 per cent of our packaging is recyclable, compostable or reusable. Together with a technology centre, we are conducting a study to analyse the initial situation and evaluate sustainable alternatives to the current packaging in fruit and vegetables. The goal of this project is to reduce plastic, improve recyclability and find innovative solutions.

Our highlights

34 products

with Welfair™ certificate

We achieved certification on animal welfare for all non-processed chicken and standard milk (fresh and long-life), and for the majority of eggs (all but organic). For fresh milk, we also have a pasture-fed certificate.

1100 tonnes

of plastic saved

In 2019, we saved more than 1,100 tonnes of virgin plastic and nearly one tonne of aluminium by banning single-use plastic products, by using recycled plastic in bottles, rubbish and carrier bags, by redesigning products and packaging, for example cotton buds, refill solutions for cleaning and hygiene products.

ALDI Spain in profile

Regional companies
4
Stores
308
Total ALDI employees
4,357
Year of market entry
2002
Website
www.aldi.es

Progress on national goals 2019

Customer & Product

Goal

Description and scope

Status 2019 & next steps

SDG

100% recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging by end of 2025

100% of our own-brand product packaging in Spain recyclable by end of 2025

New goal.
Some measures were already developed in 2019:

  • Continuous packaging optimisation in several product groups. 
  • Incorporation of recycling pictograms on the labels and triangular symbols of the plastic packaging materials in 2019
SDG 12

20% less plastic in packaging and products by 2025

20% reduction of the total weight of own-brand product plastic packaging and in products in Spain by the end of 2025 (base year 2019)

New goal.
Some measures were already developed in 2019:

  • Continuous packaging optimisation in several product groups
  • Ban on single-use plastic products
  • More loose products
  • New refill products
SDG 12

Promotion of reusable bags

Promotion of reusable bags

New goal.
Some measures were already developed in 2019:

  • Replacement of materials in existing carrier bags (100% recycled, min. thickness 50 µm)
  • Expansion of reusable bag ranges: cotton bag
SDG 12

Labelling of all gluten- and lactose-free products by end of 2018

Labelling of all gluten- and lactose-free products in Spain, based on recognised certification providers (ELS or Adilac) by end of 2018

 

Goal partially achieved.

  • In 2019, 81 products had Adilac certification (49% of the total) and 58 products had ELS certification (88% of the total).
SDG 12
Supply Chain & Resources

Goal

Description and scope

Status 2019 & next steps

SDG

National Animal Welfare Purchasing Policy by end of 2018

Preparation and publication of National Spanish Animal Welfare Purchasing Policy by end of 2018

Goal partially achieved.
Further advancement planned for 2020.

Measures brought forward by the end of 2019, as high visibility for customers:

  • 34 products with Welfair certification (all non-processed chicken, all standard milk, all eggs but organic)
  • All fresh milk with pasture-fed and Welfair™ certification
  • 59 fish products with certification (MSC, ASC, BIO)

 

Ban on battery eggs from 2020

End sale of battery eggs (fresh eggs) in Spain by end of 2020

Goal achieved in 2018.

Climate & Environment

Goal

Description and scope

Status 2019 & next steps

SDG

50% reduction of CO2e emissions by end of 2021

50% reduction of Spanish CO2e emissions by end of 2021 through implementation of several measures: green electricity, LED lighting systems, solar panels, among others

Goal achieved.
Since 2018, ALDI Spain has been purchasing 100% green electricity (stores, distribution centres and offices). We have installed solar panels and LED lighting systems in stores and distribution centres and continued the rollout of an energy management system.

SDG 07

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