"Aldi Eliminates Plastic Bags from 2,300+ Stores Nationwide"

Aldi has achieved its goal of eliminating plastic bag sales at all of its 2,300 U.S. stores, making it the first major retailer in the country to do so. The move is expected to prevent over nine million pounds of plastic from entering circulation annually. While plastic bags are no longer available for purchase, Aldi will continue to offer paper bags and encourages customers to bring their own. Additionally, the company is transitioning to environmentally friendly refrigerants at all locations by 2035, with approximately 600 stores already using these systems, resulting in a 60% reduction in potential carbon emissions. CEO Jason Hart emphasized the company's commitment to sustainability and passing on cost savings to customers.