Aldi launches new concept for customers at Solihull store & it could be a game changer

Aldi has launched a new refill solution at its Solihull store to help customers cut back on plastic packaging and to help minimize single plastic waste.

The new initiative will allow customers to restock dry goods using their own containers instead of plastic bags from the store.

A range of cereals are now available to buy loose at Solihull's Homer Road store and will be available by weight with customers encouraged to trial the new concept.

In May, the retailer joined forces with Unpackaged - the UK’s leading refill experts to ‘reimagine how food staple and household products can be supplied more efficiently.

Customers in the Solihull store can now bring their own reusable containers to fill, with the innovative solution to be developed at other Aldi stores if the trial is successful.

The refill system was developed for The Refill Coalition, which is made up of a range of leading global retailers and manufacturers, including Aldi. The coalition was convened in 2020 by GoUnpackaged to co-design and develop an innovative refill solution that reduces the use of single-use plastic.

What has Aldi said about the Solihull trial? 

Luke Emery, Plastics and Packaging Director at Aldi, said: “We know that finding environmentally friendly ways to shop is more important than ever to our customers.

 “That’s why we are excited to introduce a new and innovative way for our Solihull shoppers to buy the Aldi products they know and love whilst cutting down on plastic packaging.”

 Catherine Conway, Director at GoUnpackaged, added: “We’re so proud to have convened The Refill Coalition and brought a brand new solution to market that has the potential for adoption across multiple products and a global supply chain.

 “The Coalition has worked tirelessly since 2020, and overcome numerous obstacles, to reach this go live point. An industry-wide approach will lead to a refill system that works for everyone in the supply chain and will make refilling easy, convenient and environmentally friendly for shoppers.”