PLASTIC WAR
Aldi is making a huge change to an everyday breakfast favourite following controversial shake-up
Other supermarkets have made a series of similar changes in pursuit of package reduction
ALDI is set to swap in paper for one of its staple breakfast items in a bid to bring down plastic packaging.
The "everyday essentials porridge oats" will now be packaged in paper instead.
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It means all of Aldi's oat products are now in paper packaging - including the "organic" and "Scottish" varieties.
The budget supermarket claims the latest move is projected to save 57 tonnes of plastic per year.
Aldi is aiming for a 50 per cent reduction in plastic packaging by 2025, so the porridge oats paper swap is unlikely to be the last.
Last year, the supermarket chain switched to 100 per cent recyclable cardboard packaging on all of its own-brand porridge pots.
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Plastics and Packaging boss Luke Emery was confident the move would be supported by customers.
He said: "At Aldi, we are committed to reducing the use of plastic across our products and this latest change is another example of our ongoing progress.
"We know our customers want to make sustainable choices when they shop with us, which is why small steps like this can make a big difference."
A kilogram of the everyday essentials porridge oats pack costs just 90 pence.
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But the environmental move could cause controversy among some customers.
Aldi in February kick-started a trial of double toilet rolls in the supermarket's quest for sustainability.
Costco customers complain about ‘slimy and awful’ chicken that’s become ‘weirdly spongy’ and a ‘0/10 strikeout’
It means shoppers will get twice as many sheets per roll than they were previously.
In the Aldi UK shoppers Facebook group, one user asked: "What's everyone's thoughts on the new toilet roll packs?
"I've got a free standing toilet roll stacker so I think they will fit in it but do they fit on a wall toilet roll dispenser? I left my purchase today as don't like change."
Others were quick to chime in, with another saying: "All toilet roll have got smaller."
The supermarket giant is also rolling out plastic-free packaging on its own-label toothbrushes in a bid to reduce waste and help customers recycle.
The discount favourite also revealed a new lineup of wine that will come in PAPER bottles.
They are made from 94% recycled paper board on the outside and a food-grade pouch that holds the wine inside.
The bottles are fully recyclable, with the added benefit that they are five times lighter at 83g so are easier to transport.
Aldi says this means it can remove more than 39 tonnes of bottle weight in total, reducing the carbon impact of transporting the wine to stores.
Aldi is not alone in supermarkets swapping up their packaging.
Sainsbury's changed its mince meat packaging in 2023, meaning shoppers now get the product vacuum sealed.
Co-op enacted the same change for 11 meat products for environmental reasons.
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Meanwhile, posh shop Marks & Spencer ditched the best-before dates on fruit and vegetable, after Asda did the same in 2022.
Also in 2023, Waitrose waved goodbye to its red, blue and green milk caps to save on plastic packaging.
When's the best time to shop at Aldi?
WHEN it comes to shopping at Aldi, the best time to do so depends on what you want to buy.
For reduced items - when shops open
Red sticker items are rare at Aldi's 830 UK stores, but the supermarket says that none of its food goes to waste so there are some to be found - if you're quick.
A spokesman for the supermarket said: "All items are reduced to 50 per cent of the recommend sales price before stores open on their best before or use by dates."
That means you have the best chance of finding reduced food items if you go into stores as soon as it opens.
Opening times vary by shop but a majority open from 7am or 8am. You can find your nearest store's times by using the supermarket's
For Specialbuys - Thursdays and Sundays
Specialbuys are Aldi's weekly collection of items that it doesn't normally sell, which can range from pizza ovens to power tools.
New stock comes into stores every Thursday and Sunday, so naturally, these are the best days to visit for the best one-off special deals.
For an even better chance of bagging the best items, head there for your local store's opening time.
You don't have to head into stores to bag a Specialbuy, though.
They also go on sale online, usually at midnight on Thursday and Sunday, and .
As long as you spend at least £25, you'll get the items delivered for free.
Remember: once they're gone, they're gone, so if there's something you really want, visit as early as possible
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