Budget supermarket chain Aldi has decided to remove all the plastic packaging from its own-brand four-pack beer and cider products.

The retailer has replaced the traditional plastic shrink wrap and rings used on its beer and cider packs with a more sustainable alternative - cardboard.

Aldi said that this cardboard packaging can be recycled at home.

The change comes as part of the retailer’s continued efforts to minimise its overall environmental impact by developing sustainable packaging for its own-label products across the UK.

The introduction of these cardboard packs is expected to eliminate approximately 95 tonnes (t) of plastic packaging waste generated annually.

Aldi Plastics and Packaging director Luke Emery said: “Minimising plastic waste is important to both Aldi and our customers, and we are always looking for ways to adapt our packaging.

“Moving our beer and cider to card packaging is another step in our fight against unwanted plastic.”

The move comes a few months after the supermarket chain decided to transition to fully recyclable packaging for its own-brand handwash products.

In September this year, the retailer also announced eliminating all of the single-use cutlery from its Food To Go range across all its stores in the UK.

Aldi said it will permanently replace its single-use cutlery by encouraging its consumers to transition to reusable options. 

This move alone is expected to minimise 10.5 million or up to 28t of wooden forks used in salads and pasta bowls, allowing Aldi to reduce its overall usage of single-use items.

The UK Refill Coalition also announced the debut of its initial in-store trial of its refill solution at Aldi’s store in Solihull, England, UK.