UK consumer group unwraps festive chocolate packaging weight and recyclability issues

18 Dec 2018 --- New research by Which? has found that the packaging of popular Christmas chocolates can constitute up to 42 percent the products’ total weight. After investigating the UK’s top 13 best-selling boxes of chocolates, the consumer lobby group pinpointed Ferrero Rocher Collection as the “worst offender” with 42 percent of the total weight taken up by packaging and only 11 percent of that packaging being recyclable. In response, the chocolate manufacturer points to the “fundamental importance” of the distinctive packaging in protecting the product from damage.

Which? reports that Thorntons Continental Selection came in second place with packaging taking up 29.4 percent of the whole weight, while Cadbury’s Milk Tray ranked third with 22.6 percent. However, the recyclable components were 87 percent and 93 percent, respectively.

Lindt Lindor Mix, meanwhile, “only” contained 11.5 percent packaging, with only the individual chocolate wrappers not being recyclable. Marks & Spencer The Big One Selection was found to have the least packaging at just 8.5 percent, of which 71 percent was recyclable.

Image credit: Which?

Which? also found that of the majority of popular chocolate boxes, over 80 percent of the packaging was recyclable. However, according to the group there was confusion when asking people what the different recycling symbols meant and how they should actually go about recycling.

Almost half (48 percent) wrongly identified the green dot, that is regularly found on packaging, as a sign that the packaging can be recycled. The green dot means that the manufacturer pays into a recycling scheme and the packaging may not be suitable for recycling, the group notes.

“For many of us, the indulgent look of these festive chocolate boxes is synonymous with the Christmas season,” says Nikki Stopford, Director of Research and Publishing at Which?.

“We are more aware than ever of the impact that we’re having on the world around us – so we want our research to help people to make the right choices for them and to understand how to dispose of packaging in the most eco-friendly manner.”

In response to the group’s findings, Ferrero notes that the packaging is “carefully designed to maintain the freshness and quality that is the hallmark of Ferrero products. Ferrero Collection is a delicately created product and the packaging is of fundamental importance to protect our chocolates from damage during transport, in the shops and at home.”To maintain the integrity and utmost quality for our consumers we package the product in its distinctive box, appreciated by consumers.”

“We are aware that some consumers like to reuse the boxes in fun and creative ways like those suggested on our website. The durable box, designed specifically for Ferrero Collection, fulfils these important criteria,” a company press release states. “Furthermore, Ferrero Collection is mainly bought as a gift during Christmas, so packaging tends to be more than for products bought on a daily basis.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Cadbury reports that the company “makes a committed effort as a brand to make sustainable decisions. Without robust packaging, the shelf life of many products would be far shorter and could create more food waste which is ten times more detrimental to the environment than plastic.” 

“We have managed to make substantial progress to minimize the environmental impact of packaging by developing products that are 100 percent recyclable (depending on your local recycling facilities) while also protecting the product inside and keeping it fresh. All details of recyclability are clearly detailed on pack,” the spokesperson adds.

Boxes of chocolates are often individually wrapped in foil, which is marked as recyclable on the box. Foil wrappers can be recycled but you need to make a bundle of at least 4cm in diameter for it to actually be identified at recycling centers.

The plastic tubs that Celebrations, Roses, Quality Street, Heroes, Morrisons Mega Mix and Chocolate Treats by Sainsbury’s are made of PET 1. This is the same plastic that water and soft drinks bottles are made of. Easily recycled, this is collected by 99 percent of local authorities.