UK supermarkets managed by German chain Aldi (Essen; www.aldi.com) have begun a trial of a blister pack recycling scheme for its own-label medicines, a move the retailer claimed was a first for the country.

The company said it is working with US waste management and recycling firm TerraCycle (Trenton, New Jersey; www.terracycle.com) to encourage customers to recycle their empty medicine packets made from plastic and aluminium foil.

Related: Aldi joins Dutch government’s Plastic Pact

Aldi noted that customers can return their empty blister packs via any Royal Mail Post Office or post-box in an envelope with a Freepost shipping label available on the company’s website.

TerraCycle is tasked with converting the materials, which are normally destined for landfill, into a recycled raw material the company said can be used to make products such as nuts and bolts from the aluminium foil element, or waste bins and outdoor furniture from the plastic material.

Aldi was the first supermarket member of the Podback recycling scheme, which features brands such as Starbucks, Nespresso, and Illy and helps customers to recycle used coffee, tea, and hot chocolate pods.