Only three retailers were able to convince the German Environmental Aid (DUH) in the packaging check. The organization showed the rest the “yellow” or “red card” because of too few offers for unpackaged fruit and other points of criticism. Which markets did particularly well – and which did not.

For the third time, the German Environmental Aid (DUH) has been keeping an eye on food retailers when it comes to packaging: How well do supermarkets and discounters save plastic? How much do they already rely on reusable alternatives? The result was predominantly negative. Only three organic shops received a “green card” and thus a predominantly positive rating. Discounters such as Lidl, Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord scored negatively in all categories.

In a press release from the DUH, Barbara Metz, Federal Director, calls for stricter legal requirements in order to achieve the binding waste prevention target for packaging set out in the EU Packaging Ordinance. “Our packaging check has shown for the third year in a row that there has been a huge gap between sustainable advertising promises and packaging practices in supermarkets and discounters for years,” she criticises. “They are either not included at all or only in Little steps to less packaging waste.”

Aldi, Lidl & Co. in the packaging check: The results

From January to May 2024, the DUH randomly inspected 48 branches of the 12 largest supermarket, discount and organic retail chains in Germany – partly with the support of volunteers. The organization analyzed the range based on four product categories: proportion of unpackaged fruit and vegetables, reusable share of the beverage range, reusable share for fresh milk and yoghurt, reusable filling at fresh and self-service counters.

Not a single retailer was able to convince across the board. The three organic chains in the test – Bio Company, Alnatura and Denns – nevertheless received the best rating “green card” away.

The “yellow card“ was awarded to Rewe and Edeka. The DUH judged that the markets had “shockingly little reusable” packaging for fresh milk and yoghurt products. In the other categories, the chains performed at least mediocrely.

Netto, Kaufland, Penny, Norma, Lidl, Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd received the “Red card“, were therefore predominantly rated negatively.

What the DUH criticizes about discounters and supermarkets

The DUH summarizes the points of criticism in its press release. On average, 66 percent of fruit and vegetables were available packaged – loose options are therefore currently rarer. Filling stations for dry food was only available at Bio Company and in one Edeka branch.

Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd and Lidl also apparently offer no reusable bottles At Norma they only make up 21 percent. According to Check, only about 30 percent of the bottles in supermarkets and discount stores were reusable. In Germany, the Packaging Act stipulates a reusable quota of 70 percent for drinks – but this is not binding for retailers.

Aldi Süd, Aldi Nord, Lidl, Norma and Penny are to only disposable options for fresh milk and yoghurt jars And anyone who wants reusable options for cheese or sausage or salad and coffee will apparently have to continue to visit organic markets – or special Edeka and Rewe branches.

DUH calls for binding reusable quotas

Legal requirements can increase reusable quotas. DUH Federal Director Barbara Metz pointed to France as a positive example: The country wants to halve the number of single-use plastic bottles by 2030 and has already saved 25 percent of plastic in fruit and vegetables over the past two years through a ban.

“Environment Minister Steffi Lemke must urgently follow suit and introduce binding reusable quotas for beverages, including milk and wine, as well as a Tax of at least 20 cents on introduce unecological single-use plastic bottles, cans and beverage cartons,” she demands.