Aldi is removing protective sleeves from the corks of its own-label wine range, in a UK supermarket first.

Following a successful trial in stores since March 2024, the packaging change will now be rolled out to all own-labelled corked wines by the end of this year.

By removing the sleeve, which is made from aluminium and plastic, the discount grocer will eliminate an estimated 38 tonnes of unnecessary packaging each year.

The change applies to 46 of Aldi’s wine lines, including Côtes du Rhone, Rioja Reserva and Atlantique Rosé.

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Aldi UK national sustainability director Luke Emery said: “We know that sustainability is a priority for our customers, and we’re always looking for new ways to reduce packaging and offer more sustainable choices.

“Launching wines with naked corks is a step in the right direction, and we’re proud to be the first supermarket to introduce this change across our entire range of own-brand quality corked wines.”

In January, Aldi launched an own-label Chardonnay in partnership with wine brand The Hidden Sea to support the removal of plastic from the ocean.

The partnership means that for every bottle of Kooliburra Hidden Sea Chardonnay bought by customers, the equivalent of 10 plastic bottles worth of ocean plastic will be removed.