Nestlé has announced its ambition to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or re-usable by 2025. Its vision is that none of its packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfill or as litter. They believe that there is an urgent need to minimize the impact of packaging on the environment. Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider said, “Plastic waste is one of the biggest sustainability issues the world is facing today. Tackling it requires a collective approach. We are committed to finding improved solutions to reduce, re-use and recycle. Our ambition is to achieve 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025.”
The company focus is on three core areas: eliminate non-recyclable plastics; encourage the use of plastics that allow better recycling rates; and eliminate or change complex combinations of packaging materials. Recognising the need for developing a circular economy, Nestlé is committed to:
- Playing an active role in the development of well-functioning collection, sorting and recycling schemes across the countries where they operate;
- Working with value chain partners and industry associations to explore different packaging solutions to reduce plastic usage, facilitate recycling and develop new approaches to eliminate plastic waste;
- Labeling their plastic product packaging with recycling information to help consumers dispose of it in the right way;
- Promoting a market for recycled plastics by continuing to increase the proportion of recycled plastics in their packaging
- Preventing packaging material ending up as waste, including in seas, oceans and waterways is one of the key reasons behind Nestlé’s pledge.
Stefano Agostini, CEO of Nestlé UK & Ireland said, “Nestlé is making a clear announcement on the future of its packaging. Around the world, we will be throwing our efforts behind making all of our packaging either recyclable or reusable by 2025. Packaging is fundamental to our business and crucial in delivering safe, high quality food to our consumers as well as reducing food waste. What this announcement recognises is that we need to do more to address the sustainability of the packaging we use. I am positive that, with a renewed focus and a clear aim for the future, we will make a difference for the planet that truly reflects Nestlé’s purpose to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future.”
