Our packaging strategy
We are committed to helping to shape a waste-free future.
Our vision is that none of our packaging ends up in landfill or as litter. We are helping to create a future where cleverly designed packaging, innovative new materials, better recycling infrastructure and reusable or refillable packaging can prevent waste on land and in oceans. This goal is ambitious, but we are determined to achieve it.
To achieve this vision, participation from all levels of society – including government, businesses and consumers - is needed. We are committed to playing an active role in the development of well-functioning collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure across the countries where we operate. Here in the UK and Ireland we are advocating alongside others in the food industry for well-designed regulation that encourages circularity and accelerated progress on recycling infrastructure.
How we are working to reduce our packaging
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Our ambition is for a world where none of our packaging ends up as litter, in landfill or in our oceans. We know this is a complex challenge, but we will not lose momentum when it comes to achieving a future free from waste. We will continue to phase out difficult to recycle packaging and design packaging to be recyclable, alongside advocating for well-designed policymaking to drive packaging circularity and infrastructure development.
Our five-pillar packaging strategy
Our packaging strategy is science-based and benefits from the industry-leading work of the Nestlé Institute of Packaging Science, which is the only research institute of its kind in the food industry. Established in 2019, it is home to around 50 packaging experts dedicated to developing the next generation of sustainable packaging materials.
The Institute is helping to evolve the way packaging is designed. It is developed refillable or reusable packaging systems, designed simplified or recycled packaging materials and developing high-performance barrier papers and bio-based, compostable and biodegradable materials.
Our strategy is structured around five pillars:
As we explore new solutions, we remain committed to never compromising the health of our consumers. The safety and quality of our food and beverages are non-negotiable."
We can't do this alone
Participation from all levels of society is needed to make lasting change. We are collaborating with partners, governments, NGOs, community groups, scientists and packaging specialists both here in the UK and Ireland and on a global scale.
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Flexible Plastic Fund Nestlé is a founding member of the Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF), a cross-industry collaboration to enable the recycling of flexible plastic packaging like sachets and confectionery wrappers. In 2022, FPF FlexCollect launched a trial of flexible plastic collections from households in nine local authorities ahead of a nationwide rollout by March 2027.
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The Great British Spring Clean Nestlé Confectionery is a proud sponsor of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean campaign, the nation’s biggest litter pick, complementing our ambition to ensure none of our packaging waste ends up as litter or in landfill.
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Impact Recycling Nestlé has made a £7 million investment alongside a grant from Innovate UK into the development of a pioneering plastic recycling plant in Durham. Impact Recycling’s new facility will process hard-to-recycle flexible plastics into new flexible products.
