Nestle Adopts Compostable Christmas Confectionery Packaging

Nestlé UK is helping make Christmas a lot more eco-friendly this year by adopting NatureFlex compostable packaging for its festive Quality Street sweets.

NatureFlex, which is marketed in New Zealand by Convex Plastics, was an ideal choice for the Quality Street packaging as the film begins life as a natural product and breaks down in a home compost bin (or industrial compost environment) within a matter of weeks. It also offers advantages for packing and converting such as inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high gloss and transparency, resistance to grease and oil, good barrier to gases and aromas, and a wide heat-seal range.

NatureFlex films are cellulose based, derived from renewable wood-pulp from managed plantations, and are certified to meet both the European EN13432 and American ASTM D6400 standards for compostable packaging.

The move to the more sustainable packaging is part of Nestlé UK's commitment to reduce its packaging volume and use more sustainable materials.

"Reduced or more sustainable packaging is a key priority for Nestlé and we are delighted that the NatureFlex film will help reduce waste and, at the same time, ensure consumers are still able to recognise this well-loved brand," said David Rennie, Marketing Director for Nestlé Confectionary UK.

Nestlé is a member of the Seasonal Confectionery Industry Working Group, which was launched in March this year by the British Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). The objective of the working group is to reduce packaging volume in the UK by at least 25 per cent.

According to WRAP, one of the major challenges for manufacturers is reducing packaging without compromising consumer appeal and brand recognition. This has led manufacturers to seek out new technologies that maintain the appearance of their products, while also reducing packaging volume.

WRAP special adviser Mark Barthel says, “Many major players in the seasonal confectionery industry have signed up to this group…they are ensuring that issues relating to packaging are taken into account and that consumer appeal is retained. This in turn will ensure changes can be made across the industry.”