Advancing Sustainability: Nestlé’s latest initiatives in packaging and waste management

UK – Nestlé remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing sustainable packaging solutions and bolstering waste management infrastructure.

On Global Recycling Day, the company underscores its efforts to enhance packaging designs for recyclability and to champion improved waste management practices.

“We are dedicated to reducing our overall packaging footprint, enhancing recyclability, and integrating renewable or recycled materials into our packaging,” stated Antonia Wanner, Nestlé’s Head of ESG Strategy and Deployment.

“Our focus extends beyond just the design and material of our packaging; we actively contribute to the development of waste management infrastructure, advocate for regulatory harmonization, and champion the rights of waste workers.”

By the end of 2023, 83.5% of Nestlé’s plastic packaging globally was designed with recyclability in mind. Notable examples include transitioning iconic products like Quality Street sweets and Smarties in the UK and Ireland to recyclable paper packaging.

However, the journey to truly sustainable packaging requires robust waste management infrastructure.

Nestlé collaborates with local and national governments, industry alliances, civil society, and consumers to develop and enhance recycling infrastructure in its operational countries.

It supports initiatives like the UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution and advocates for effective Extended Producer Responsibility and Deposit Return Systems regulation.

Nestlé has spearheaded 220 initiatives across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and Latin America to bolster waste collection, sorting, and recycling schemes.

In the UK, the company announced a GBP 7 million investment in a new recycling facility for processing flexible plastics, slated to open in Durham later this year.

In Belgium, a partnership between Nespresso, Nestlé, JDE Peet’s, and FostPlus has led to the introduction of a new recycling solution enabling the collection of all beverage capsules and pods in the Blue Bag for recycling since January 1, 2023.

In Brazil, Nestlé collaborates with the Recicleiros Cidades project, providing job training, promoting consumer recycling education, and implementing waste collection infrastructure across 11 Brazilian states, benefiting over 8,000 recycling professionals.

Moreover, Nestlé actively incorporates recycled and renewable materials into its packaging, with 41.5% of its total packaging made from such content by the end of 2023.

Notably, the company utilizes 50% recycled polyethylene (rPE) in shrink film across its European factories, with plans to increase the use of food-grade recycled polypropylene (rPP) and rPE in brands like Nesquik, KitKat, and Purina.

Nestlé reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing packaging materials within the circular economy and preventing their entry into the environment.

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