Aldi is trialling a blister pack recycling scheme for its own-label medicines in a UK supermarket first.
Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket is working with recycling firm TerraCycle to encourage customers to recycle their empty medicine packets made from plastic and aluminium foil.
TerraCycle will convert the materials, which would otherwise be disposed of in general waste, into a recycled raw material which can then be used in the production of new products – such as nuts and bolts from the aluminium, or plastic waste bins and outdoor furniture.
The trial – which launches today – runs nationwide and will help Aldi assess customer demand for the recycling solution. Aldi customers can send their empty blister packs via any Royal Mail Post Office or postbox in an envelope with a Freepost shipping label, which can be accessed via the Aldi website.
Luke Emery, plastics and packaging director at Aldi UK, said: “We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and continue to look for new ways to promote recycling wherever possible.
“We hope our customers will get involved in the trial and embrace this new way of recycling their empty blister packets.”
Julien Tremblin, general manager, TerraCycle Europe, commented: “The removal of pharmaceutical packaging from landfill and incineration remains a key focus.
“We are delighted to work with Aldi on this new medicine blister pack recycling scheme, which will enable the creation of a more circular plastic packaging chain.”
Adam Herriott, senior specialist, WRAP, said: “Blister packs are a product that cannot currently be recycled at the kerbside and are instead disposed of in general waste, so we fully support this trial.
“Being able to recycle this type of packaging into raw material, which can then be used for new products, is something we and our UK Plastics Pact members are working hard to achieve on a range of difficult-to-recycle plastics. We look forward to seeing the results of the trial.”
A limit of two envelopes per month per customer has been applied as part of the trial. More information on how to recycle your empty blister packs via the scheme can be found here.
Aldi was also the first supermarket member of the Podback recycling scheme, which helps customers to recycle their used coffee, tea and hot chocolate pods.
