The ALDI SOUTH Group has become the first global food retailer to transition from plastic to paper packaging for kids and basic toothbrushes. This change is setting new industry standards and reflects the group's commitment to reducing virgin plastic usage and enhancing recyclability.
Traditional toothbrush packaging often combines plastic and cardboard, making it difficult to recycle and frustrating to open. To tackle these issues, the ALDI SOUTH Group has moved to fully paper-based packaging for its own-brand kids and basic toothbrushes — a win-win for both the environment and its customers.
This change significantly reduces virgin plastic and overall material usage, improving both environmental impact and supply chain efficiency. For example, the switch to paper packaging for kids and basic toothbrushes is expected to eliminate 25.3 tons of plastic annually from ALDIs toothbrush packaging. Plus, the paper packaging is 100% recyclable. This means customers can easily dispose of it in standard paper recycling bin and do not need to separate materials. The new design also allows them to see the toothbrush colours directly on the packaging, removing the need for a plastic window. It’s easy, convenient, and sustainable.
While the benefits are clear, the shift to paper packaging wasn’t without challenges—from protecting the product and creating an appealing design to ensuring smooth production and managing a large-scale rollout. These were successfully overcome through great collaboration with our supplier, whose expertise in sustainable materials was key. Together, we developed a solution that meets high quality standards, works efficiently with existing products, and supports the ALDI SOUTH Group’s commitment to sustainable packaging.
The transition to paper packaging covers the entire range of own-brand kids and basic toothbrushes sold at ALDI and Hofer stores in Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Germany and Australia. And best of all, prices remain the same—making sustainability affordable for everyone.
