If you’re a regular ALDI shopper, you’ve probably marvelled at the store’s famously low prices and no-nonsense approach to groceries. But have you ever wondered what happens to all the food that doesn’t get snapped up before its expiry date?
With food waste a growing concern in Australia and worldwide, it’s a question worth asking, especially for those who care about our wallets and the planet. It turns out that ALDI isn’t just about saving you money at the checkout.
According to ALDI’s statements, ‘We strive to never let good food go to waste’—and they’re backing up those words with impressive action.
In 2024 alone, ALDI donated 39 million pounds (approximately 81 million dollars) of food through partnerships with organisations like Feeding America. While that’s a United States figure, ALDI Australia has similar programs. It works with local food rescue groups such as Foodbank and OzHarvest to ensure surplus food finds its way to those who need it most, rather than ending up in landfills.
When food is approaching its ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date but is still perfectly safe to eat, ALDI stores set it aside for donation. Local charities and food banks collect these items and distribute them to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.
In times of crisis, like floods, bushfires, or other natural disasters, ALDI also provides emergency food boxes and essential supplies to affected communities.
It’s not just food, either. ALDI donates non-food essentials such as nappies, cleaning products, and bottled water to needy communities, especially after disasters. This holistic approach means ALDI’s support goes beyond just filling bellies—it helps people get back on their feet during tough times.
One secret to ALDI’s low waste is the size and design of its stores. At around 12,000 square feet, ALDI supermarkets are much smaller than the average big-box grocer.
This means fewer shelves to fill and a more focused range of products—usually the most popular items guaranteed to sell quickly. By keeping their inventory tight and turning it over rapidly, ALDI reduces the risk of having excess stock that goes unsold.
ALDI has set an ambitious goal of achieving zero waste in its operations by the end of 2025. What does that mean? The company is working to divert at least 90 per cent of its waste away from landfills, using a combination of recycling, food donations, and organic recycling (like composting).
ALDI was also the first major supermarket to eliminate single-use plastic bags, saving millions of bags from landfills.
Not all unsold food is suitable for human consumption, especially if it’s past its prime. But ALDI doesn’t just throw it away. Instead, they send nearly 2 million pounds (approximately 4 million dollars) of food waste yearly to be recycled into animal feed or compost.
So, even if it’s not feeding people, it’s still feeding livestock or enriching the soil, helping to close the loop and reduce the environmental impact of food waste.
Food waste is a massive issue in Australia, with millions of tonnes of edible food thrown out every year. Not only is this a waste of resources, but it also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions when food rots in a landfill.
By donating surplus food and recycling what can’t be eaten, ALDI is helping to tackle both hunger and environmental harm.
Have you ever wondered what happens to unsold food at your local supermarket? Or maybe you’ve seen ALDI’s food donation program in action? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—share them in the comments below!
Also read: Switching to ALDI saves this ‘Woolies snob’ $70 a week—could it work for you?
Many Aldi stores in Queensland donate food that is best before or “ use by” to Ozharvest who collect it in their little yellow vans & distribute to charity and the food vulnerable