ALDI has announced the introduction of a new DRS “Savings Card” which will allow customers to use their DRS vouchers received when they return empty bottles and cans to load funds onto an ALDI Savings Card. This news comes as ALDI announces an additional investment in enhancing and expanding the DRS scheme across its 163 stores nationwide.
The newly designed DRS specific card is designed 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 their DRS vouchers onto their ALDI Savings Card, customers can conveniently keep all their deposited returns in the same place. The card can be topped up at ALDI checkouts, offering customers a convenient way to save money or plan for future purchases, while supporting sustainability in their daily shopping habits.
The launch comes as ALDI prepares to reach the milestone of 200 million DRS returns across Ireland this February. Once this milestone is reached, ALDI shoppers will have returned over €30 million worth of cans and bottles to machines across ALDI’s 163 stores nationwide since the launch of the scheme in February 2024.
ALDI DRS Investment
ALDI DRS units have seen a steady increase in the numbers of items returned since February, as customers have become increasingly acquainted with the scheme. Now, one year on, ALDI is investing in new machines and upgrading existing ones at more than 40 stores, which will make the scheme even easier for customers to use.
So far, the scheme has significantly surpassed expectations for customer engagement. The initial government target of recycling 50% of all units this year has already been exceeded, with ALDI performing well ahead of the market, and reporting an impressive 140% return rate across its stores.
The average return in the EU is 16-17 units per transaction while Irish customers are recycling 20-25 units per transaction.
ALDI’s investment also involves the purchase of an additional compactor at the Naas Distribution Centre, which will speed up the recycling and repurposing of returned bottles and cans.
The DRS scheme
Under the scheme empty bottles, cans and containers marked with the Re-turn logo can be returned to the reverse vending machines at all participating retailers, regardless of where the item was originally purchased. Customers receive a voucher for their returned items, which can be put against their shopping bill, or returned in cash.
The scheme aims to reduce the amount of litter across Irish towns, villages and countryside, by incentivising consumers to recycle their empty items. Prior to the introduction of the DRS, Ireland had one of the lowest rates of recycling of PET and aluminium drinks bottles and cans, with roughly 60% of all drinks containers being recycled.
Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) are present at all 163 ALDI locations across the country, with 74 stores having machines located outside the stores themselves, allowing customers to return their DRS items in a convenient and sustainable manner.
Jason Carolan, Plastic & Packaging Manager at ALDI Ireland commented:
“The DRS scheme 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.”
