Aldi Australia leads the positive charge in battery recycling

Aldi has become the first Australian national grocery retailer to initiate a free in-store recycling service across all stores for common household batteries, with the launch of the Aldi Activ Energy Battery Recycling Program.

Each year, over 300 million common household batteries are thrown away with ordinary waste. Aldi Australia believes that the recycling program will have an impact in reducing the 8000 tonnes of common household batteries that end up in landfill every year.

From today, battery collection bins will be available at the front of every Aldi store. These bins will serve as collection points for common household batteries including AA, AAA, C, D and 9 V. These used batteries will be sent off to be recycled with materials extracted for re-use in other products.

Paul Klymenko, CEO of Planet Ark, congratulated Aldi on becoming the first Australian grocery retailer to launch a battery recycling initiative across their store network. 

“Planet Ark is very pleased that Aldi is taking on this important environmental initiative which is much needed by the Australian community. In fact, we have found that many people do not know what to do with their used batteries. More than 68,000 Australians annually ask us where to recycle their batteries, representing the fifth most common enquiry on our RecyclingNearYou.com.au website.

“We encourage Australians to support this program and keep the valuable and potentially toxic materials found in batteries out of landfill so they can be turned back into useful products.”

Aldi Australia believes that the initiative will reinforce its social responsibility and commitment to a sustainable future, as well as its focus on delivering a high level of customer service.

“At Aldi, we understand that our customers value the environment and community they live in. We are confident that this free recycling service will assist our customers in disposing of batteries responsibly,” said an Aldi Australia spokesperson.

For further information on the Activ Energy Battery Recycling Program, visit www.aldi.com.au or www.recyclingnearyou.com.au.