CR Programme 2021

20% less virgin plastic in own-brand packaging by 2025

Reduce the total weight of own-brand virgin plastic packaging at ALDI Nord (excluding fruit and vegetables) by 20% – proportional to sales – by end of 2025 at the latest (base year 2020).

Project ongoing. We continuously work on packaging optimisations to reduce virgin plastic. In Germany alone, we saved around 4,775 tonnes of plastic in the packaging of our own-brand products in 2021, compared to 2020.

30% recycled content in own-brand plastic packaging by 2025

30% recycled content in own-brand plastic packaging by 2025 at the latest (average value).

Project ongoing. We continuously work on packaging optimisation to increase the amount of recyclate in plastic packaging. For example, in Germany, we are converting our own-brand mineral water one-litre size to 100% recycled content.

100% sustainably certified and/or recycled materials for all product packaging by end of 2020

Transition of newly purchased product packaging to sustainably certified materials (FSC®, PEFC™, EU Ecolabel or comparable standards) or consisting of more than 70% recycled materials at ALDI Nord, depending on availability by end of 2020. The requirement refers to all own-brand products within the standard product ranges, seasonal products and food specials.

Project ongoing. Since the beginning of 2021, this is a requirement for our suppliers in the context of tenders. However, due to current supply bottlenecks, this requirement cannot be met 100%.

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

100% of own-brand packaging at ALDI Nord to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by end of 2025.

Project ongoing. We have published an international recyclability guideline and are continuously working on optimising our packaging to increase recyclability. In Belgium, for example, our non-recyclable cocoa powder packaging was replaced by 100% recyclable plastic packaging in March 2021. 

15% less packaging by end of 2025

Reduction of the total weight of own-brand packaging material at ALDI Nord (excluding fruit and vegetables) by 15% – proportional to sales – by end of 2025 (base year 2020).

Project ongoing. Development of alternative materials to reduce packaging – taking into account food losses and product quality and safety. For example, in France, rigid plastic lids were removed from all chilled ready-to-eat salads. This reduced the total weight of the packaging by an average of 37%, saving 120 tonnes of plastic each year.

Reusable nets for fruit and vegetables

Rollout of reusable nets for fruit and vegetables in all stores of the ALDI companies.

Project ongoing. The nets are already available in Germany, Denmark, Portugal, and Spain. The remaining countries are working on implementation.

No more disposable plastic carrier bags (except knot bags) by end of 2021

No more disposable plastic carrier bags (except knot bags) by end of 2021: To achieve this goal, the assortment of multiple-use carrier bags is to be expanded. These bags should be repairable and/or washable and should be recognisable as reusable, taking into account haptics and carrying comfort. Bags that do not meet these requirements are not covered by this goal. Paper bags are considered separately.

Project ongoing. Due to supply problems of paper and reusable bags, this goal could not be achieved in all countries. We are working to achieve the goal as soon as possible.

100% unpackaged organic fruit and vegetables or in environmentally friendly packaging by end of 2023

100% of our organic products (organic fruit and vegetables) will be unpackaged or use environmentally friendly packaging in all ALDI companies by end of 2023. The use of plastic is to be reduced to a minimum, i.e., packaging material only to be used to the extent necessary to ensure product quality and safety and handling.

Project ongoing. We are continuously working on packaging optimisation to reduce packaging material with a focus on plastic and to achieve higher recyclability. In Spain, for example, we have already achieved 83.3% packaging optimisation and in the Netherlands 50%.

Expansion of unpackaged articles in the fruit and vegetable sector to at least 40% by end of 2025

At least 40% of fruit and vegetables will be unpackaged in the stores of all ALDI companies by end of 2025. For products which require packaging, only sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging will be used.

Project ongoing. Already achieved in Portugal and Poland. We are continuously working on packaging optimisation to reduce packaging material with a focus on high unpacking rates – taking into account food losses, safety and handling. In Germany the share is 30%.

No plastic interlayers in crates by end of 2021

100% of all plastic interlayers in crates for fruit and vegetables in all ALDI companies will be removed by end of 2021.

Goal achieved. In all ALDI countries, plastic interlayers are no longer used for fruit and vegetable crates.

Optimise composition of 100% of ALDI own-brand food products for children by end of 2024*^,**

ALDI own-brand standard assortment that are kids’ products according to the ALDI Nord definition. Optimisation is conducted based on defined internal ALDI criteria that includes a.o. the WHO nutrient profile model.

Goal partly achieved. Implementation is ongoing though in all countries. A holistic reorganisation of the kids product strategy is planned until end of 2022.

Avoid marketing of unhealthy choices for children and promote healthier products by end of 2021

Avoid marketing unhealthy products for children and advertise and promote healthy products (including fruit and vegetables) in all ALDI companies by end of 2021 except special offers, e.g., Christmas.

Goal under revision. A holistic reorganisation of the kids product strategy is planned until end of 2022. Goal update will be communicated accordingly in the next report.

Launch own brands for products for children by end of 2021

Launch and campaign a new ALDI children's brand by end of 2021.

Goal under revision. A holistic reorganisation of the kids product strategy is planned until end of 2022. Goal update will be communicated accordingly in the next report.

Cooperate with at least one partner on national or international level on product range for children by end of 2021

Cooperation with suppliers, organisations and experts for improving current product ranges for children and for working on innovations for all ALDI companies by end of 2021.

Goal partly achieved. Cooperation with partner partly established. Please see examples of cooperation on national level for e.g. in the Netherlands and Portugal [Responsible product ranges > How ALDI Nord promotes healthy lifestyles with campaigns and activities]

A holistic reorganisation of the kids product strategy is planned until end of 2022.

Improved nutrient composition in 100% of the defined product groups by end of 2022

Upgrade products through optimised nutritional composition (e.g. reduce salt, sugar or fat, or increase fibres) and offer reliable product ranges for customers with special dietary needs in the product groups Breakfast, Dairy, Chilled Convenience, Freezer and Non-Alcoholic Beverages in all ALDI companies by end of 2022.

Project ongoing.

Register 100% of ALDI own-brands by end of 2024 for the Nutri-Score labelling*^,**

All food own-brands. Out of scope: Justified internally defined exceptions. The definition of the exceptions relies a.o. on customer expectations.

Project ongoing. Implementation is ongoing in all countries.

Improve labelling and communicate sustainable added values

Improve labelling and communicate sustainable added values, such as animal welfare, vegan, organic, improved nutritional labelling and social projects in all ALDI companies.

Project ongoing. Covered under the labelling goals for local food, vegetarian and vegan products, and Nutri-Score.

Expand organic assortment

Identify the gaps in the organic assortments in each ALDI country and each product group and listing of missing products in the assortment.

Project ongoing.

Expand vegetarian and vegan assortment

Expansion of the ranges of vegetarian and vegan products, including certification (e.g., V-Label) in all ALDI companies.

Project ongoing.

Label 100% of vegetarian and vegan products for all new products/purchases starting in 2021

100% labelling of all vegetarian and vegan products (V-label/vegan flower) for all newly purchased/newly listed products in all ALDI companies, with a focus on cosmetics, personal care, health & beauty, starting in 2021.

Goal achieved.
We established an ongoing process to label newly listed vegetarian and vegan products in scope.

Integrate 100% of all stores in a partnership to reduce food waste by end of 2021

Integrate 100% of all ALDI stores in collaborations with NGOs to reduce food waste by 2021 (e.g., Tafel, Too Good To Go, Refood). The goal is reached as soon as every store is working regularly with one or more defined potential partners.
Regularly means enabling the redistribution of food surplus as often as possible from both sides.

Project ongoing.
The goal was achieved in Portugal, Denmark, Poland and Germany. In the remaining countries the goal was not achieved due to national challenges (a.o. infrastructure, expansion, companies strategic priorities. These countries will continue to work on this goal and communicate the updates in the next report.

Offer products from food surplus by end of 2021

Develop products made from food surplus and introduction of at least one product in defined product groups by end of 2021 at ALDI Nord.

Goal achieved.
ALDI Nord Germany offered 'Wetteräpfel' (apples with damages caused by weather) and 'Knödelkult' (dumplings made from surplus bread). ALDI Portugal offered bread beer in August 2021 made from surplus bread from own stores and ALDI Spain offered a tomato sauce and a jam from food surpluses.

Label 100% of all national products for all new products/ purchases by end of 2021

100% labelling of all national products, e.g. with national flag by end of 2021 for all newly purchased/newly listed products in all ALDI companies. Scope: fruit and vegetables, dairy, fresh meat and fish.

Goal achieved.
The requirement is integrated in the buying conditions since 2021. It requires all national products to be labelled according to the newly set up ALDI Guideline for Local Food.

Develop regional product ranges in each ALDI country by end of 2021

Development of regional product ranges in each ALDI country by end of 2021. Scope: fruit and vegetables, dairy, fresh meat and fish.

Goal partly achieved.
The implementation will be ongoing according to the newly defined ALDI Guideline for Local Food which provides a clear definition for regional, national products and further sub-forms.

By the end of 2024, offer 100% vegetarian and vegan soy-based dairy, meat, fish & egg alternatives (labelled with V-Label/Green Heart) with European and/or certified soy*^,**

Products are soy-based if soy is a primary and/or valuable ingredient. Textured soy protein (TSP) is also included in the scope. Accepted certifications and standard are RTRS, Pro Terra, ISCC+, SFAP Non-Conversion, CRS, BFA, Danube/Europe Soy, Cargill Triple S, ADM Responsible Soy Standard, Bunge Pro S.

Goal partly achieved.
The requirement is integrated in the buying conditions. All vegan and vegetarian soy-based products in scope must have European and/or certified soy.

Compensation of all CO₂e emissions for internationally purchased vegan meat, fish and dairy alternatives (with V-Label) at ALDI Nord until end of 2023

Vegan meat, fish and dairy alternatives labelled with the V-Label purchased by International Buying. The scope also includes vegetarian varieties if those are part of a mixed box in which vegan products are offered.

New goal.
First carbon neutral products are expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2023.

Pursue the goal of 100% certified flowers and plants**

Continuously monitor share of certified sustainable plants and flowers (e.g., GLOBALG.A.P. in combination with GRASP or alternative standards) in all ALDI companies.

Project ongoing.
In a next step, we will focus on harmonising the monitoring approach in all countries to obtain more reliable data that will allow a clear statement on the status of the goal.

Social evaluation of 100% of producers for fruit and vegetables by end of 2023*^, **

Continuously increase the share of certified sustainable fruit and vegetables (e.g., GLOBALG.A.P. in combination with GRASP or alternative standards) in all ALDI companies.

Project ongoing.
The certification of fruit and vegetables is an internal requirement for our suppliers for medium and high-risk countries. We accept, e.g., GRASP, Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade.

Next steps focus on monitoring and verifying the requirement. To do this, we are developing a monitoring system by end of 2023.

Extension of animal welfare criteria

Ongoing expansion of test and certification systems and own standards in all ALDI companies that go beyond the statutory requirements and include animal welfare aspects.

Project ongoing.
In 2021, we published an update of our International Animal Welfare Policy.

100% sustainable cotton by end of 2025

Use of sustainable cotton (e.g., GOTS, OCS 100/blended, Fairtrade, recycled cotton, BCI, or CmiA) for all clothing and home textiles in all ALDI companies by end of 2025.

Project ongoing.
82.0% in 2021; +18 percentage points compared to the previous year. The buying department will further increase the sourcing of sustainable cotton.

Further implementation of Corporate Responsibility Supplier Evaluations

Rollout of Corporate Responsibility Supplier Evaluations (CRSE) in all high-risk supply chains by 2027.

Project ongoing.
In 2021, the CRSE concept was revised, which resulted in CRSE 2.0, ensuring comparability along different commodity groups. First audits at farm level, for bananas and pineapples, have been embedded in the CRSE assessment and a pilot project with fish and seafood has been started (canned tuna suppliers). Furthermore, we started a pilot CRSE for DIY suppliers. The next steps are to finalise the assessments of the CRSE 2.0 pilots, and adapt the tools as needed.

Commitment to eliminate deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems from our high-priority supply chains by 31 December 2030

Including up to ten supply chains that are related to deforestation. Starting with timber, palm oil, soy, sugar, bananas, beef, and others to follow.

New goal.
Starting with the introduction of requirements for sugar and beef.

By end of 2022, commitment to publish the names and addresses of the first-tier suppliers of our high-risk food supply chains

The scope covers all relevant high-risk food supply chains based on a risk assessment.

New goal.
Starting with the publication of supplier list.

Identify impacts on human rights and implement transparent reporting according to our due diligence strategy

We aim to conduct and publish up to 12 HRIA by end of 2025, at least one in every high-risk supply chain.

New goal. First steps are to publish outstanding HRIAs in 2022 and to decide on next topics based on annual risk assessment.

Establishment of grievance mechanisms that meet the requirements of the UNGPs in our high-risk supply chains by 2025 *^, **

Implement grievance mechanisms in all high-risk supply chains by 2025.

Project ongoing.
We are currently working with other stakeholders to establish and strengthen grievance mechanisms. This commitment includes participating in amfori's Speak for Change Pilot and in the grievance mechanism of the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry. We will report on our initial findings by end of 2022.

100% transparency on all input chemicals used in all wet-production facilities used for ALDI production by 2024*^, **

The goal covers all wet-production facilities in risk countries used for the production of ALDI textiles and shoes.

Project ongoing.
The compliance with ZDHC MRSL is monitored in wastewater and sludge on an annual basis. Chemical inventories only requested on spot-check basis, hence no systematic transparency. New requirement was communicated to suppliers in February 2022.

40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by end of 2021

40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in all ALDI companies by end of 2021, compared to the reference year 2015.

Goal achieved.
In 2021, greenhouse gas emissions in all ALDI companies were reduced by 49%, compared to the reference year 2015.

Increase the ratio of ALDI stores equipped with photovoltaic systems through continuous expansion*

All new stores will be equipped with PV panels. Systems will be fitted in every store where it is technically possible and economically feasible.

Project ongoing.
863 solar panels by end of 2021. +11% compared to the previous year.

Introduction of LED lighting in all new ALDI stores by end of 2019

Introduction of LED lighting in all new ALDI stores (interior and outdoor lighting) by end of 2019.

Goal achieved for indoor and outdoor lighting for all new ALDI stores.

ALDI Nord Group of Companies commits to 75% of its suppliers by emissions covering Purchased Goods and Services setting science-based targets by 2024

Committing our suppliers who represent at least 75% of Purchased Goods and Services emissions to set their own science-based reduction targets by 2024.

Project ongoing.
In 2021, we achieved the target by 27%.

55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by end of 2030 (baseline 2020)

55% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in all ALDI companies by end of 2030, compared to the reference year 2020 (Science Based Target).

New goal.
25.4% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, compared to the reference year 2020.        The focus was on increasing efficiency and on green power/greening.