ALDI has scrapped the trial of an innovative new service that offered shoppers cheaper prices.
The pilot scheme saw customers able to fill their own containers with produce from in-store dispensers.
Senior consumer reporter Lucy Alderson tried out the scheme back in 2022[/caption]
It featured a recycling point at the front of the store, for hard-to-recycle items[/caption]
This new system not only reduced waste, but also allowed shoppers to get their hands on items such as nuts, seeds and coffee for 5 per cent cheaper than equivalent packaged items, according to the supermarket.
The trial, run by the Refill Coalition, was launched in a Solihull branch in 2023 – before expanding to Leamington Spa in September last year.
But now, it has scrapped – as Innovate UK, which funds the Refill Coalition, halted funding.
Despite the seemingly abrupt decision, Aldi insisted that the move was planned.
They added that they would be taking learnings from the scheme forward into future projects.
It comes as a shock to fans, who raved about the new Leamington Spa shop.
Sun writer Lucy Alderson went to try it out for herself – and found a stark difference to usual prices.
She found 12 pods filled with loose coffee beans, almonds, hazelnuts, chia seeds and more.
The coffee on display was 75p per 100g – whilst the same coffee was priced at £1.79 for 227g, which is around £1.58 for 100g, Lucy said.
She also found that Hazelnuts were priced at 85p per 100g, whereas online, 120g packets cost £1.79, working out at £1.49 per 100g – 64p more expensive.
“We are extremely proud of our collective work to design and launch these new reuse and refill systems, which form a key part of the solution to tackling the single-use plastics crisis,” the coalition said in a joint statement.
“The trial demonstrates the solutions’ operational efficiency, clear environmental benefit and scalability which are critical steps towards industry transformation.
“Additionally, the sales share and in-depth research provide evidence of the significant consumer appetite for availability of refill and reuse as part of their regular shop.
“We look forward to seeing other retailers and brands taking up these proven solutions, enabling an acceleration towards a reuse future”.
Aldi isn’t the first supermarket to trial selling package-free items.
Back in 2020, Asda launched a sustainability store near Leeds where shoppers could bring their own containers to stock up on rice, pasta, tea bags and detergent.
The cutting-edge refillable packaging technology featured brands like PG Tips, Persil and Cadbury.
Roger Burnely, Asda’s CEO and president, said at the time: “Today marks an important milestone in our journey as we tackle plastic pollution and help our customers to reduce, re-use and recycle.”
“We have always known that we couldn’t go on this journey alone, so it is fantastic to work in tandem with more than twenty of our partners and suppliers, who have answered the call to test innovative sustainable solutions with us.”
However, it later went on to also axe the scheme – stating it had not been able to find a means to scale up the pilots nationally.
Meanwhile, Waitrose offers refill stations for key products in some stores including ones in Oxford and Cheltenham.
And it gives extra reward points to customers who bring containers to take home meat and fish.
How to save money at Aldi
Unlike other major grocers, Aldi does not have a rewards or point card system but that does not mean you cannot save on your shop.
Every week the store releases a list of special buys , which are unique bargain products you find online at Aldi and in store.
The store releases a fresh range of deals every Thursday and Sunday, so be sure to check regularly to see what’s new.
Meanwhile, the store also regularly sells fruit and vegetables at highly discounted prices, as part of its ‘super six’ deal.
It also does weekly saving offers on typically pricey items such as meat and fish.
Aldi has scrapped its pilot scheme with the Refill Coalition[/caption]
