Aldi is opening a new ‘eco store’ concept, designed to reduce carbon consumption and offer shoppers more sustainable choices.
The store, due to open tomorrow (29 September) in Leamington Spa, has been made using building materials designed for a low carbon footprint, including timber fibre insulation, recycled lighting columns and a partial green roof.
Features inside include a collection point for ‘hard to recycle’ waste not collected by local authorities, such as medicine packets, batteries, soft plastics and cosmetic packaging. Aldi is also claiming a UK retailer first with a recycling point for coffee pods.
There will also be a nuts and coffee refill fixture, allowing shoppers to fill their own containers or use a free paper bag. It follows a refill aisle trial at Aldi’s Ulverston store last year.
Read more: Aldi rolling out soft plastic collection points to nearly all stores
The new eco store will also have energy saving features such as solar panels, chiller cabinet doors and electric vehicle charging points.
The building design reduces overall energy demand by 57% compared with a more typical store, according to Aldi.
“Now more than ever, we must do our bit for the environment and this store offers us the ability to easily explore new in-store initiatives and low carbon store designs,” said Aldi UK & Ireland CEO Giles Hurley.
“We are committed to reducing our environmental impact in any way we can and are continuing to explore new initiatives all the time.
“What’s even better is that many of the changes made to this store, whether it be the energy saving initiatives or our latest packaging-free trial, could allow us to put even more money back into the pockets of our customers.
“We’re focusing on continuing to deliver our longstanding price promise by offering the lowest possible prices in Britain, every single day.”
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