Aldi Ireland has announced the introduction of a new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) “Savings Card” as it expects to hit 200 million bottles and cans returned this month.
The new card will allow customers to use their DRS vouchers to load funds onto an Aldi Savings Card.
Under the DRS, shoppers can claim back a small deposit on PET bottles marked with the Re-turn logo when they return an empty, undamaged container to a return point.
The scheme aims to reduce litter and encourage a circular economy across the island.
The Savings Card was designed to encourage shoppers to encourage customers to return their bottles via the DRS system, which is present in every Aldi store across the country.
By loading the value of DRS vouchers onto their Aldi Savings Card, customers can keep all their deposited returns in the same place, and can top up the cards at Aldi checkouts.
This gives shoppers a convenient way to save money or plan for future purchases while supporting sustainability in their daily shopping habits.
Milestone
The launch comes as Aldi prepares to reach the milestone of 200 million DRS returns across Ireland this February.
Once the retailer reaches this milestone, its shoppers will have returned over €30 million worth of bottles and cans to machines across Aldi’s 163 Irish stores since February 2024.
Upon the launch, Aldi installed reverse vending machines (RVMs) which are now available in all of its stores, and it is investing in new machines and upgrading existing ones in 40 stores, making them easier for customers to use.
The retailer has reported that customer engagement has been higher than expected, with the government’s initial target of 50% recycling already far surpassed, and Aldi reporting an impressive 140% return rate across its stores.
‘Even Easier’
Aldi Ireland’s plastic and packaging manager Jason Carolan said, “The DRS has been very popular with Aldi shoppers, and since going live in February 2024, the number of items being returned on a monthly basis has steadily increased.
“That’s why we’re now looking at how we can make it even easier and more efficient to use.
“This investment will allow us to make machines even more user-friendly and faster.
“Our new DRS Savings Card is a great way to build up the value of deposits over time.
“They’re easy to use and top-up and customers can not only contribute to the circular economy, but they can also put that money aside for special occasions.
“Customers are on track to redeem more than €30 million in cash, vouchers and savings at Aldi’s 163 stores, as we expect to soon reach our goal of processing more than 200 million bottles and cans.
“We’re delighted to see our customers engaging with sustainability in such a positive way.”
Read More: SuperValu And Centra Facilitated 210m Returns In First Year Of DRS
