Aldi unveils ‘big difference’ to Australian check-outs from today

The German supermarket is the latest retailer to change its checkout experience, rolling out a new addition nationwide immediately.

Aldi is the latest retailer to make a big change to its checkout experience.

From today, the German supermarket giant has introduced 25c paper bags for consumers nationwide, in what sustainability director Daniel Baker said was the next step in its efforts to reduce plastic.

“Aussies are continuing to make more conscious choices, and we want to continue meeting their needs,” Mr Baker said in a statement.

“Ultimately, bringing your own bags every time you shop is the most sustainable option. We encourage customers to continue doing so, but when they can’t, our paper bags are now available.

“These may seem like small changes, but they all add up to making a big difference.”

Aldi is the latest retailer to make a big change to its checkout experience. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The paper bags are available alongside the “robust” 99c Le Bag Recycle – made from 80 per cent recyclable material – and $2.49 cooler bags.

Aldi made the decision to remove all single-use plastic tableware from shelves in 2020.

Introducing paper bags, Mr Baker said, will see more than 888 tonnes of plastic removed from circulation annually.

From today, the German supermarket giant has introduced 25c paper bags for consumers nationwide. Picture: Supplied

“In 2019, Aldi Australia also made a commitment towards a 25 per cent reduction in the use of plastic packaging by 2025,” he said.

“Since then, we have stopped around 4000 tonnes of plastic from being introduced, and just by never having provided single-use carrier bags, we have saved an estimated 8.6 billion plastic bags from entering the market in the 22 years we’ve been operating in Australia.”

The remainder if Aldi’s 15c plastic bags will be available throughout stores over the next few months until sold out.

Woolworths’ 15c reusable bags will be phased out across the country. Picture: Woolworths

The move follows similar announcements by Coles and Woolworths – with the latter phasing out reusable plastic bags in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania in a bid to stop selling them nationwide this month.

The process began last year in South Australia and the Northern Territory, before expanding to the ACT and Queensland.

Woolworths Supermarkets director of stores, Jeanette Fenske, said in April the supermarket was “excited” to “complete our national journey to remove the 15-cent plastic shopping bags from all our stores nationwide”.

“Having reusable bags on hand has become second nature for many shoppers, and so far we have seen our customers embrace this change with their usual eagerness to do good for the environment,” Ms Fenske added.

“We’re proud to be the first major supermarket to commit to removing these plastic shopping bags from our stores, and this change is an important step towards more sustainable grocery shopping across the country.”