Nestle-Owned Smarties Goes Plastic-Free With Paper Packaging
by Rudy Sanchez on 02/05/2021 | 1 Minute Read
Nestle-owned candy brand Smarties started on a path towards a plastic-free packaging journey in 2018, tasking its UK-based experts with developing paper packaging for the entire range. The new tubes, bags, and other packaging pieces would have to perform at least as well as the plastic they utilized at the time, of course. Though an ambitious goal, it was crucial for Nestle to have 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.
Unlike plastic film and other components of plastic candy packaging, the new paper wrapper is widely recyclable. That would take close collaboration between different teams across the Smarties brand and the Nestle organization.
In some cases, the brand needed to create entirely new factory lines to accommodate the plastic-free packaging materials. In others, such as some of the pouches, the new paper film could get used on existing lines, after thorough testing, of course.
The global behemoth had started using the paper packaging in the UK and have now completed the rollout to 90% of the brand. Nestle has also begun using the paper-based film with other products, like the snack bar brand Yes!