Nestlé introduces leaner Easter packaging

Research from Nestlé suggests that while almost every Australian notices the physical amount of packaging on food products and about half are aiming for less packaging this Easter, only 5% of people actually consider the amount of packaging waste to be important when purchasing Easter eggs.

Nestlé has responded to this research by developing packaging for its range of boxed Easter eggs. The range forgoes hard plastics and weighs 50% less than other large packages used for Easter eggs.

“We want to break the mould that says a bigger pack means a bigger egg,” said Nestlé Director of Sustainability Margaret Stuart.

“Using less packaging meant carefully considering every detail so we could deliver our Easter eggs in a fully recyclable box.

“Across Nestlé, we are working to make all our packaging recyclable or reusable and reduce our virgin plastic use by a third by 2025, so getting the details right is critical. We need to be innovative. Easter, which sees a significant increase in chocolate gifting purchases, is a key time to shake up the category and start a conversation around packaging.”

“On special occasions like Easter, many Australians continue to be attracted to bigger packaging — either consciously or unconsciously,” said Jenni Downes, sustainability expert and Research Fellow at Monash Sustainable Development Institute.

“The work by Nestlé in taking such a ‘countercultural’ step in the absence of an industry-wide commitment to do the same is both a brave and needed move. It is exciting to see such a holistic approach taken by a private business, on the strength of its own sustainability commitments.”

Image credit: © Nestlé