Aldi UK and Ireland is pledging to reduce operational food waste by 50% by 2030 from a 2015 benchmark.
This target – which sits within the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – will be achieved through a collaboration with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to engage further with suppliers and third party logistics providers.
The supermarket chain said it also aims to increase partnerships with surplus food organisations FareShare and FoodCloud.
Since October 2015, Aldi said its suppliers have diverted “2,415 tonnes of surplus from waste, which is the equivalent of 5.75 million meals”.
The commitment will also see Aldi – which is now the fifth largest UK supermarket – help customers to reduce food waste in their homes, using initiatives such as ‘love food hate waste’ messaging on products, in store and online.
Aldi managing director of corporate responsibility Oliver King said: “Food waste is one of our sector’s most pressing issues, and reducing it is everyone’s responsibility. By joining this network we hope to work with others in the industry to tackle this collectively by sharing data and resources.”
Richard Swannell, development director at WRAP, added: “With one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, costing the global economy $950 billion every year, the food waste challenge is monumental and urgent.
“The UN SDG goal 12.3 is ambitious and achievable – but only if we set targets, measure and galvanise action from governments, business and citizens from all over the world. We look forward to working with Aldi through the Champions 12.3 network to tackle what is one of the key issues of our generation.”
Last week, Tesco revealed it will allow employees to receive free food which is approaching its expiry date. The retailer will have dedicated storage areas and fridges set up in back-of-store colleague rooms to keep food on its best before date.
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