Aldi’s discount wine selection is one of the supermarket’s beloved features. United Kingdom customers can now purchase wine in a sustainable bottle. Aldi is working with U.K.-based Frugalpac to sell South African wine blends in paper bottles. The bottles are made from 94% recyclable paperboard with a food-grade pouch.
Using paper bottles will reduce glass bottle waste among Aldi consumers. Glass is 100% infinitely recyclable; however, according to Chemical & Engineering News, only about 33% of glass waste gets recycled in the United States. It’s only slightly higher in the U.K. with 43%. Some European countries have rates up to 90%.
The plan is to offer shoppers a more sustainable option that reduces carbon emissions. These bottles are lighter, shatterproof, and easily transportable.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Aldi on this landmark new line,” Malcolm Waugh, Frugalpac CEO, said in a press release. “Our ambition has always been to allow more people the opportunity to enjoy our paper Frugal Bottles, giving them greener choices.”
Photo Courtesy Marques Brown
In March, the Cambalala South African Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc in the Frugal Bottles started selling in U.K. stores. Frugalpac’s products are used across 25 countries, and more than 35 different drink producers use them for wines, spirits, and olive oil. Some bottles are manufactured in California at an assembly plant that opened in the second quarter of 2024. Aldi will also sell its Greyson’s London Dry Gin in the Frugal Bottle.
The bottles are just one of several sustainability initiatives the grocery store has also used, like a plastic transparency tracking system, eco2veritas, to monitor the journey of materials through the U.K.’s national recycling program.
The artificial intelligence program can certify the number of plastics gathered at Aldi stores and sort them into different categories. It’s unclear if that will make its way to the U.S. soon.
A sustainable chocolate line has also been integrated. Aldi teamed up with Tony’s Open Chain, a sustainable cocoa bean sourcing initiative started by Tony’s Chocolonely. The Choceur Choco Changer line directly helps West African farmers and creates an “open and transparent” supply chain, showing all labor practices and where money is allocated. The chocolate is available in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, and Australia.
“Shoppers are striving to become more sustainable in their everyday lives, looking for small ways to make a big difference for our planet,” Julie Ashfield, Aldi UK buying managing director, said in a statement. “Our Buying Teams are continuously thinking of how we can evolve our ranges to offer greater value and greener choices. We are proud to be the first supermarket to launch an own-brand paper bottle, helping to drive sustainable change.”
Photo Courtesy Carlsberg Group
Aldi joins a growing list of spirits distributors and producers using paperboard bottles or non-glass receptacles. In 2022, Denmark’s Carlsberg Beer introduced a paper bottle for its European market.
Likewise, Tetra-Pak is the packaging supplier for BuzzBox boxed cocktails. A resort in Argentina unveiled a wine pouch for sustainable wine distribution and refilling for guests. Singapore-based ecoSPIRITS has signed deals with Diageo, several high-end American resorts, and Candela Mamajuana Rum.
As of 2024, four North American drink brands use Frugalpac paper bottles, though that looks likely to increase. Paperboard continues to be an eco-conscious packaging for its renewable properties, biodegradability, and lower carbon footprint in production and recycling. Aluminum and plastic dominate the American beverage market, but that could change with more international use of paper bottles and more case studies about its benefits being published.
