Our packaging strategy
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 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.
Our Global action
Participation from all levels of society is needed. As a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative, we are committed to playing an active role in the development of well-functioning collection, sorting and recycling schemes across the countries where we operate. The global infrastructure gap is significant, and we are working to model successful collection and resource recovery systems with partners around the world.
We actively advocate for harmonised and better regulation of post-consumer resources and call on governments to accelerate progress on infrastructure development. We advocate for a legally binding UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, which we hope will lead to new, harmonised regulations.
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. Set up in 2019, it has 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 developing refillable or reusable packaging systems, designing 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:
1. Less packaging – Reduce
We want to use less packaging material, including less virgin plastic, which we plan to reduce by a third by 2025 versus of 2018 baseline.
Examples of how we are doing this include removing unnecessary plastic lids, accessories, layers and films, and in some instances phasing out packaging items that are not widely recycled.
2. Less packaging – Reuse and refill
To eliminate the need for disposable packaging, we are working to eliminate non-recyclable plastics and investing in innovative, alternative delivery systems.
We recognize that more needs to be done and are working with different groups along the value chain.
3. Better packaging – Redesign
We are collaborating with industrial partners to develop new packaging materials and solutions.
We aim to design 100% of our plastic packaging for recycling and are phasing out non-recyclable materials. By the end of 2023, 83.5% of our plastic packaging had been designed for recycling.
4. Better systems - Recycle
We work to help stop plastic waste in the environment across our operations.
We support collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure with the aim to collect and recycle the same amount of plastic as we use in our products under a “one tonne in, one tonne out” principle.
5. Better system - Rethinking behaviors
Addressing the plastic waste challenge requires fundamental behavioral change from all of us, including Nestlé, retail partners, suppliers and consumers.
We have rolled out Packaging Sustainability training for our employees and aim to educate and encourage others through a diverse range of programs and campaigns, helping everyone imagine a waste-free future.