Aldi opens colleague shops to cut down food waste
German retailer Aldi has launched new colleague shops across the country to give staff members the chance to buy products which can’t be sold in stores.
The discounter made the move to reduce the amount of food waste as part of its commitment towards sustainability.
Luke Emery, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: “The colleague shop is another example of how we’re working to cut food waste across our operations.
“It’s a practical initiative that benefits both colleagues and the environment, and we’re pleased to extend it nationwide following a successful pilot.”
The initiative was made to ensure food products that are still safe for consumption will be available for purchase instead of contributing towards food waste.
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This scheme will prevent an estimated 240 tonnes of food waste per year and is launching after a successful trial at the Darlington Regional Distribution Centre.
The colleague shops are now opening across all of the discount retailer’s 11 regional distribution centres in the UK. This builds on Aldi’s commitment to cutting down food waste, recently introducing in-store reduction zones nationwide.
The discount retailer is now working towards a revised goal of aiming to decrease food waste by 90% by 2030 against a 2017 baseline.
25 Comments. Leave new
I work on a distribution centre and have asked about this scheme, I think it’s a brilliant thing and should be on all distribution centres.
Why not open them to the public rather than just staff? Like too good to go or Olio. I realise Aldi is already discount priced but times are hard and that extra discount could really help people.
Bet this doesn’t go down well with food banks who’d otherwise get the spoils.
What a good idea. Hope others follow suit.
Tesco need to do the same. They used to, but stopped.
They still do
Sill do at my store!! Maybe speak to a manager?
I work for Tesco and we do have colleague shops
They do offer this service still to staff and also food donation to charities like olio etc.
They do more now then ever. After 9.30pm in certain expresses yellow label itmes become free.
Tesco do do this and have done for years.
My partner works for them and regularly comes home with c/s bits
Hi is there colleague shops in Scotland ?
Far too long overdue. All other major retailers should follow this example.
The scheme will drastically reduce food waste, but more importantly provide a vital food resource for retail workers and their families.
This new addition to colleague’s working package will be invaluable
way of helping to subsidise the percentage of wages that is spent on their grocery shopping and it will help to feed their family. Well done Aldi 👍
Tesco has been doing this for quite a few years now. It nothing really new to be honest more like aldi playing catch-up.
Tesco has had this from 2018.
This was happening at Safeway Fulham Broadway in the 80s distressed items, but certain staff were deliberately causing distress to items they wanted.
Tesco didn’t stop, it’s just that most now goes to charity.
I would love to see a time set aside for pensioners, with young chilxren, and people who cant actually get there without help.
What a foreward thinking idea. So practical and helpful. So down to earth. ‘See a need fill a need’.
If Aldi were serious about reducing food waste they’d be working with Olio
So practical and helpful. ‘ See a need, fill a need’.
What a brilliant idea – I couldn’t do such a good job as the staff in our local Aldi!!
They really earn their wages!
I work for Tesco and we do have colleague shops
Tesco has had this from 2018.
BHS did this nearly 50 years ago when I worked there. They couldn’t give the food away but you paid a tiny fee (10p) and could take as much stuff as you wanted. My mum’s freezer was always full and it was part of my contribution to the household. It’s a great idea and other supermarkets should follow suit.
Absolutely brilliant some common sense it’s not all about profit these companies make enough let’s hope asda and the other big ones follow