Nestlé reduce Easter egg packaging to save 700 tonnes of landfill waste
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What’s a girl to do with her ethics? I’m not a big fan of Nestle for the usual ‘baby milk action’ reasons, BUT on this blog I support companies who are doing their bit to reduce landfill waste.
Nestle just happen to be top of the tree this year with their Easter eggs, as some of you have discovered already. Whether we like it or not Nestlé sells one in four of the UK’s Easter eggs, so let’s put our differences aside and support any landfill- friendly move they make.
Nestle have reduced packaging across the entire Easter egg range by 30%, and gone plastic free on nearly all the range, making them easier to recycle.
Here are some key facts:
- All small and medium eggs, 80% of Nestlé’s total range, will now come in a cardboard basket, which is easily recyclable.
- Nestlé is providing clear recycling information on the back of the boxes to help consumers.
- The sweets inside SMARTIES® and MILKY BAR® small eggs have had their plastic packaging removed.
- Because eggs are more compact, the move will save 48,000 road miles in transporting Easter eggs.
- The 30% reduction exceeds the WRAP industry agreement to reduce medium egg carton weight by 25%
Nestlé Confectionery will produce 25 million chocolate eggs for Easter 2009, which, with these new reduced packaging measures in place, is going to add up to significant savings on landfill rubbish this year.
This is the first time a big manufacturer has made such an impact on Easter egg packaging, and it’s in response to consumers requesting these kind of changes in recent years. It should make a big difference – nearly 700 tonnes of waste will be saved this year as a result. This is a real feel good moment, folks. It shows that the consumer DOES hold the power to bring about change.
According to latest research, us Brits are surprisingly eco-minded. More than half of us admit we have previously been put off Easter treats by excessive packaging (55%), but half of shoppers questioned said they would actually ditch their usual egg in favour of one with reduced packaging (51%).
I have an opportunity for you to post your questions to Nestle about their Easter Eggs (please keep on topic). They’ve said they’ll be happy to answer them. So jot down your questions in the comments and let’s see what they have to say!
If you want to know more, check out their YouTube vid, flickr photos and other information on their site.
Please DIGG, stumble, tweet or whatever it is you lovely people do to give everyone the opportunity to post their questions on a topic that has been the bugbear of many of us for years!
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Mrs Green,
Nestle have broken the plastic domination of Easter Eggs, with 2 types 100% Zero Waste. This is excellent news considering past years where Cadbury’s Creme Eggs were the only option available.
Change in packaging can be achieved in breakthrough products like these. Milky Bar is one not tested personally but I will post your findings on the SkyNews Forum.
A question for Nestle : Can the larger sizes of Easter Egg, which tend to be more fragile, be supported by card only designs? This would have further impact on waste.
Yes I applaud them for (finally) dropping the plastic packaging.
No I won’t be buying them, until they change the baby milk position as well…
But its a good result for “people power” isn’t it!
@John Costigane: I think larger size eggs can be supported plastic free John. Not sure on how thick card packaging would have to be then tho’. As usual it’s a play off.
I hope everyone’s going to recycle their foil and card tho! Can’t wait for the school’s competition to get started!
Carole
I bought Kinnerton eggs for the football team as we have a couple of asthmatics whose attacks can be triggered by nuts.
On the packaging it said 100% recyclable and made using 75% rrecycled card.
However the plastic bit inside has no info to tell me what type of plastic so I have sent an email asking the ?.
What I like is that you can pick them up for less than 90p in Tescos making them affordable to families. Cadburys also have a zero waste version this year but they are much more expensive.
*sigh* If only these companies would do the same in the US!
Here in the US – or at least among my family and friends chocolate bunnies are the must in every basket – not eggs. We tend to buy the Lindt bunnies that are foil wrapped (for the adults and big kids), or basic choc. bunnies in cardboard boxes for the little ones who truely don’t know the difference.
I tried the Cadbury foil eggs a few time and find them extremly sweet. I don’t know if I’ve ever noticed Nestle brand eggs – but then again, I don’t buy Nestle products.
I suppose the good thing out of Nestle moving forward – they will have a competitive edge this year, and other companies will follow next year if they loose market share.
Three weeks ago I decided to test loads of eggs anticipating I might just store them away packaging free ready for Easter. (The kids would never know) Didn’t last the week though. And most of them were the nestle ones too. Anyway I’m with Deb re the Lindt bunnies, even if they come with a little bell. 😀
Good for Nestle, now to work on the Baby Milk Action thing….
I did find some Cadbury EggHeads that were just a choc egg wrapped in coloured foil – no plastic and no card at all.
Good for Nestle, but I won’t be buying their eggs until they are made from Fairtrade chocolate – last time I heard they could/would not confirm that child slaves were not involved in the production of the cocoa they use.
@Karin:
@Sarah:
I agree fully with what you are both saying, but if we can use them to give the other more wasteful companies a bloody nose, then in the short term it has to be worthwhile.
Ok I need enlightening and if i dont ask i will not know? what are the baby milk issues mentioned?
I dont but easter eggs and only buy organic or fair trade chocolate these days, however my family still buy for my son and its great to see a little less waste (still too much for my liking.) Its a step in the right direction though.
@Sal: Baby Milk Action
There you go.
thank you Sarah