How we are protecting biodiversity

Aldi Ireland is a supporter of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan created by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. The All-Ireland pollinator plan aims to create an environment where pollinators can survive and thrive. Bees are responsible for the pollination of many crops, which is vital for Aldi’s business. Aldi has committed to completing several pollinator friendly actions as part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Supporting the plan aligns with our ‘Better Everyday’ Corporate Responsibility strategy. These actions work towards reducing carbon emissions and protecting biodiversity, making Aldi ‘Greener’ Everyday.

Some of our progress so far…

•Introduction of our ‘Bee Happy Garden Madness’ pollinator friendly plants promotion

•Encouraged our Irish suppliers to sign up to the All-Ireland Pollinator plan

•Educated our staff through informative articles on our internal communication platform

•Reduced our grass cuttings

We are planting one million native hardwood trees

In January 2021, we pledged to plant one million native hardwood trees in Ireland by 2025 in conjunction with Green Belt, a private forestry company. This will remove 160,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere, the equivalent of 640 million kilometres driven by a car! These planting sites will also create a natural habitat and shelter for wildlife and biodiversity.

So far we have planted 205,000 native hardwood trees across Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Galway, Mayo and Wicklow.

What we are doing next…

We want to achieve more and in 2021 we are:

•Introducing wildflower meadows at our Regional Distribution Centres in Naas and Mitchelstown

•Installing bird boxes and insect boxes at the Regional Distribution Centres

•Planting 1 million native trees across Ireland by 2025

•Selling high pollinator plants as part of our ‘Bee Happy Garden Madness’ Promotion in store

•Donating high pollinator plants to Barnardos to brighten up their centres

•Planting high pollinator plants at Aldi stores