Aldi is to trial vacuum and flow-wrap packed packaging across its beef mince products, claiming the move cuts the amount of plastic used by up to 73%.
The aim of the trial is to understand which packaging customers prefer alongside helping the discounter to further reduce plastic waste.
The new packaging removes the need for a paper lining and no carbon dioxide is used in production, delivering further environmental benefits. The new packaging is also expected to increase the shelf life of beef mince by keeping it fresher for longer.
The vacuum packaging trial has gone live across select stores in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire.
The flow-wrap trial will be rolled out in the same areas in November.
Luke Emery, Plastics and Packaging Director at Aldi, said: “At Aldi we are constantly reviewing ways to become more environmentally friendly and reduce plastic where possible.
“These trials promise a range of environmental benefits without affecting quality and could lead to significant reductions in plastic, food miles and food waste if rolled out across all stores.”
Lidl recently announced plans to introduce vacuum packs for its beef mince range. The move came despite Sainsbury’s hitting the headlines earlier this year when it made the same switch. Some shoppers complained that the new packaging turned the meat to mush and made it difficult to cook with. Anti-plastic campaigners have also criticised the move from hard plastic trays to soft film, saying it could not go in most household recycling collections.
Earlier this month, Tesco revealed that it was trialling new ‘pillow pack’ packaging for its mince range. The retailer noted that the packaging was “the opposite” of vacuum packs, which have attracted complaints.
NAM Implications:
- Like the man says: “Retail is a ‘try it & see’ medium”
- A pointer for all meat products…
