Starting in 2019, Aldi Süd and Nord will throw out some of their products. The discounters are already implementing EU regulations. "Disposable plastic should disappear from the shelves or be replaced by environmentally friendly alternatives' stated according to Aldi Süd. Their competitors are on board as well, according to Stern.de.
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Greener shopping' is an important issue for these grocers, so discussions about plastic-heavy organic fruit and vegetables will always get plenty of attention. In the meantime, people are experimenting with so-called natural branding. Fruit and vegetables are laser-engraved with the word "organic". But selling loose food stuffs in reusable containers is also a practice that is seen more and more.
So even the big chains have recognized this trend. In some stores in Baden-Württemberg, customers use their own containers at the fresh food counter in order to reduce packaging waste.