Budget supermarket chain Aldi is taking significant steps to reduce its plastic footprint by eliminating plastic windows and trays from several savoury goods lines.  

Starting 27 November 2024, customers will find products such as Specially Selected-branded pies and quiches, along with Crestwood frittatas and quiches, in cardboard packaging, eliminating the need for plastic windows. 

The move to more sustainable materials extends to Crestwood twin slices and pork pies, which will no longer contain plastic trays.  

Aldi's seasonal Mini Pork Pie Selection will also be trayless during the upcoming festive period. 

These initiatives will enable the retailer to remove 127 tonnes (t) of unnecessary plastic packaging per year. 

Aldi plastics and packaging director Luke Emery said: "We are constantly reviewing ways to become a more sustainable supermarket and reducing unnecessary plastic packaging is just another example of the progress we're making. 

“We know our customers care about our environmental commitments just as much as we do and we hope these changes help make their daily shop more sustainable.” 

The latest measures build on previous efforts by Aldi to minimise its environmental impact and to develop alternative packaging for its products. 

In August this year, the retailer began testing the elimination of pulp trays and punnets for its fruit and vegetable ranges.  

If implemented nationwide, this could result in an additional reduction of approximately 370t of packaging each year. 

This July, Aldi UK enhanced its sustainability by introducing paper packaging for its Everyday Essentials Porridge Oats product across all stores in the country.