Nestlé UK Introduces Easter Eggs in 100% Recyclable Packaging

Since the early 1990s, they have been reducing the amount of packaging use through their global source reduction programme – eliminating unnecessary packaging and reducing weight while ensuring product quality.

22 Mar 2012 --- Nestlé UK & Ireland is the first major confectioner to announce its entire Easter egg packaging is 100% recyclable by replacing rigid plastic with cardboard in its mug eggs.

With Easter eggs creating 3,000 tonnes of UK waste each year*, the manufacturer of SMARTIES, KIT KAT and AERO Easter eggs, has become the first major confectioner to remove plastic packaging from all its eggs – the culmination of a six year process that has saved 726 tonnes of plastic waste going to landfill per year**.

The last products to become 100% recyclable were the YORKIE, MUNCHIES and KIT KAT Easter eggs which include a branded mug. The 48 tonnes of plastic used to secure the mug and egg has been replaced with recyclable cardboard certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and a compostable film for the windows resulting in a 30% reduction in packaging in the mug eggs.  In 2011, 100 tonnes of plastic was removed across the entire range.

David Rennie, Managing Director, Nestlé Confectionery UK & Ireland, said:

“Nestlé carefully considers the environmental impact of packaging as an integral part of its product design.  Since the early 1990s, we have been reducing the amount of packaging we use through our global source reduction programme – eliminating unnecessary packaging and reducing weight while ensuring product quality.”

The Easter egg packaging news comes only two weeks after Nestlé Confectionery UK became the first major confectioner to achieve no artificial colours, flavours and preservatives in any of its range.

Helen Bingham, campaign manager for Keep Britain Tidy said:

"Nestlé’s achievement in becoming the first major confectioner to create 100% recyclable Easter egg packaging is a great step forward for the confectionery industry and we hope that other manufacturers follow their lead. The new packaging will prevent over 700 tonnes of waste going to landfill this Easter.  This reinforces Keep Britain Tidy's 'Love Where You Live' campaign aims, which are to encourage communities and businesses to take responsibility for minimising their impact on the environment.”

Richard Swannell, Director of Design and Waste Prevention, WRAP said:

“WRAP welcomes Nestlé’s commitment to optimise Easter egg packaging while also increasing its recyclability. It is packaging innovation like this that helps consumers minimise and recycle their waste effectively."