Easter eggs go eco-friendly as Nestlé slashes packaging |
Charlie Wright, thegrocer.co.uk 18 February 2009 In: Manufacturers, Industry news
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Nestlé has removed plastic packaging from 20 million of its products in the run-up to Easter in a major move by the Swiss food giant moves to reduce its environmental impact.
Nestlé says the move to replace the plastic casings around Easter eggs with cardboard will eliminate 700 tonnes of waste and bring about a 30% reduction in the weight of packaging for the products affected. The move covers major brands including Kit-Kat and Aero.
Meanwhile, Green & Blacks is aiming for a 60% reduction in waste by eliminating traditional cardboard box packaging in favour of a gift-bag design and more robust eggs.
Packaging campaigner Jo Swinson MP told the Daily Mail the news represented "a step in the right direction" but warned: "To have a real impact, this packaging reduction must be part of a broader trend rather than a one-off change."
The news comes after Waitrose was this week surprisingly singled out in a local government report for using more unnecessary packaging than seven supermarket rivals, dealing a blow to its cherished green credentials.