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Our packaging strategy

Smarties range with paper packaging.

 

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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Packaging that is recyclable, reusable, and/or compostable*

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Percentage
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*As per Ellen MacArthur Foundation: “New Plastics Economy Commitment - Commitments, Vision and Definitions” (Feb. 2020)

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Packaging made from recycled and/or renewable materials*

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*As per Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Process Foods Standard FB-PF-410a.1.

896.6 Kilotonnes
Front page of a report on packaging.

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:

 

Infographic of packaging pillars.

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.  

  • 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.
    Person sitting down holding a KitKat with a book in their lap.
  • 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.
    Group of people holding a banner and litter pickers outside in a wooded area.
  • 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.
    Box of Nestlé products.
Two farmers in amongst plants.