A Foray Into Returnable Bottles – Aldi Süd Starts Test Phase

Aldi Süd is testing the sale of mineral water and beer in returnable bottles at the regional subsidiaries in Bingen and Eschweiler. In each case, the favourite varieties of the respective region are offered.

“As if, discounters can’t do reusable bottles,” Thomas Fischer, head of waste policy and recycling management at Deutsche Umwelthilfe e. V. (German Environmental Aid) tweeted on February 12^th. “Aldi is currently testing beer in returnable bottles.” In addition to the favourite beers of the region, Bitburger (0.33 liters) and Früh Kölsch (0.5 liters), Gerolsteiner Naturel mineral water in 1-liter refillable bottles has also been on offer in the ten branches of the Eschweiler area since the beginning of February. In its 40 branches, the regional company in Bingen offers mineral water by Hochwaldsprudel in 0.75-liter returnable bottles in addition to its most popular beer brands Bitburger (0.33 liters) and Krombacher (0.5 liters).

Canned beer and beer in plastic bottles as well as water in disposable PET, which in the case of the 1-liter bottle already consists of 80 percent recycled PET according to Aldi Süd, will continue to be available in the pilot locations. Customers can thus decide whether they want to buy returnable or one-way bottles.

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