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.
• Making all new stores pollinator friendly.• Selling high pollinator plants in store so our customers and colleagues can support pollinators.• Introduced wildflower meadows at our Regional Distribution Centres in Naas and Mitchelstown.• Reducing our grass cuttings. • Encouraging our Irish suppliers to sign up to the All-Ireland Pollinator plan.• Installed bird boxes and insect boxes at the Regional Distribution Centres.• Donated high pollinator plants to Barnardos to brighten up their centres.
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 over 550,000 native hardwood trees across the country.
We want to achieve more and in 2023 we are:
• Planting high pollinator plants at all new stores.• Introducing beehives at our Regional Distribution Centres in Naas and Mitchelstown • Maintaining our wildflower meadows.• Educating our staff through informative articles on our internal communication platform.• Planting 1 million native hardwood trees across Ireland by 2025.
