ALDI and Sustainability
Sustainability is one of the most relevant and pressing topics of our time. How sustainable we act now will influence our planet and the lives of future generations. At the ALDI SOUTH Group, responsibility is one of our core values and we need to act quickly and change the way we do business. By addressing pressing social and environmental problems, we can use our scale and influence to have the greatest impact on people and nature.
Making sustainability affordable for our customers
What is ALDI’s sustainability strategy?
Our Global Sustainability Strategy sets our business up to embed sutainability practices in all areas of the organisation. This strategy is not only a plan with clear objectives, but also an attitude and culture which we are cultivating throughout the company.
How was the strategy developed?
To develop and introduce a new sustainability strategy across the ALDI SOUTH Group, collaboration was required from many different departments and functions both internally and externally.
In order to identify which issues we prioritise and focus on as part of the strategy, we used internationally recognised principles and frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the UN Global Compact. We also conducted a comprehensive stakeholder survey, a social and environmental risk assessment, and human rights impact assessments.
Why being more sustainable is crucial for ALDI
Sustainability is not only crucial for ensuring a liveable planet and creating a positive social impact, but also for ALDI to continue to exist as a business.
ALDI is positioned to make significant impact
Considering ALDI is one of the leading international retailers and we have significant reach with stores in 11 countries and sourcing products from many more countries, we know we have the opportunity to make positive and lasting impact on resources, planet and people.
Customers expect us to act
For an increasing number of consumers, sustainability is a crucial factor in their purchasing decisions. More and more of our customers expect us to act responsibly and to offer products which have minimal impact on people and the planet.
Legislation is increasing
Legislation across our national markets has been tightened and the expectations are higher than ever. As a result, operating sustainably is crucial for ALDI to maintain its license to operate.
Climate change affects the availability of products
We also know that climate change has and will continue to impact food availability and sourcing. If we don’t work hard to address this then we aren’t able to be part of the solution.
Costs can be reduced
Committing to a more sustainable product and packaging portfolio and operating energy efficiently requires high initial investments but in the long-term, it is more cost effective e.g. reducing and reusing packaging materials diminishes waste and reduces expenses for waste management.
Teamwork works
Collaborating more closely with suppliers builds strong partnerships and enhances the overall resilience of the supply chain. As a result, there are better chances to create change in our value chain and help sustain and grow our business.
Actions speak louder than words
Sustainability has multiple facets - establishing safe and fair working conditions, reducing Co2 emissions and improving animal welfare, to name just a few examples. There are many moving parts behind the scenes in order to put sustainable products and packaging onto every ALDI shelf. Find out what driving sustainability at the ALDI South Group looks like and discover the full scope in our stories:
