Nestlé announced a set of innovative packaging technologies that would drastically reduce plastic waste in the most important step toward environmental sustainability. The huge food and beverage manufacturer applies its huge resources in research and development to introduce new, environmentally friendly packaging for some of its most popular brands worldwide. This constitutes part of Nestlé’s greater commitment to reaching 95% recyclable plastic packaging and reducing virgin plastic use by one-third by 2025.
Vital Proteins: Entering a New Era of Sustainable Packaging
It’s regarding this that Nestlé’s Vital Proteins brand has just introduced paperboard canisters to the U.S. market-as radical a change as could be from what, until now, has been very plastic-heavy packaging. These new canisters will cut plastic use by an impressive 90%, setting the bar at a whole new level for the dietary supplements category.
The paperboard canisters, specially developed at Nestlé’s R&D center in Bridgewater in collaboration with external partners, are not only eco-friendly but very convenient for everyday use. The canister features a leak-proof, durable proprietary coverlid-meaning consumers do not have to compromise on convenience while making a more sustainable choice.
This move reflects Nestlé’s commitment to integrate sustainability into the core of its business practices, in order to meet the rising demands of consumers who want high-quality products friendly to the environment. Such large-scale plastic use reduction places Vital Proteins at the frontier, setting an example not just for other brands within the Nestlé portfolio but the wider industry.
Revolutionizing Coffee Packaging
Nestlé is not lagging behind with new ideas in the field of coffee either; thus, it has opened a new page in packaging. The company has just introduced to the UK market a high-barrier paper refill pack for its iconic Nescafé brand, enabling customers to refill glass jars and reduce packaging weight by as much as 97%.
The high-barrier paper of these refill packs is fully recyclable in local paper waste streams, thereby aligning perfectly with Nestlé’s goals for sustainability. Specifically, this move to paper-based packaging is considered quite remarkable since coffee is one of the most sensitive products to oxygen and humidity; maintaining its quality and freshness, therefore, can be very challenging.
In addition to the refill packs, Nescafe’s European Cappuccino range is being launched in fully recyclable paper-body cans. The move underlines Nestle’s commitment to minimizing its impact on the environment, without compromising the value that a product promises to deliver to its consumer.
According to the Head of Nestlé’s Institute of Packaging Sciences, Gerhard Niederreiter, the company was very careful when developing paper packaging. “When developing paper packaging, we consider each product’s sensitivity to external elements such as oxygen, temperature, and moisture,” he said. The careful thoughtfulness makes the new packaging solutions sustainable and at the same time effective in maintaining product integrity.
A Company-Wide Commitment to Sustainability
Nestlé’s packaging innovations are not limited to a few selected products, but part of broad work across the company to reduce plastic waste and drive sustainability. Strong collaboration within the extensive Nestlé R&D network allowed the realization and implementation of leading-edge packaging innovations for several product categories.
According to Axel Touzet, Business Unit Head Coffee Nestlé: “Coffee is especially sensitive to oxygen and humidity.” Added Touzet: “The redesign of packaging for this category requires extra effort in product freshness and quality match with science-based and sustainable solutions”
These reinforce the broader strategy of Nestlé to embed sustainability into its business model. The commitment of the company to design 95% of its plastic packaging for recyclability, and to achieve one-third reductions in virgin plastic use by 2025, is clear evidence of its intent for environmental stewardship. As Nestlé stretches the envelope on sustainable packaging, it is setting the standard anew for the industry and opening ways toward a more sustainable future.
Conclusion
With rising environmental concerns, Nestlé is on the edge of creating innovative solutions that can reduce plastic waste. From the launch of paperboard canisters for Vital Proteins to high-barrier paper refill packs for Nescafé, here are just a few examples of how Nestlé is reimagining packaging for consumers and the planet.
With high ambition and continued commitment to sustainability, Nestlé will not only seek to contribute to a reduction of its environmental footprint but also call on other companies to do the same. It commits to making 95% of its plastic packaging recyclable by 2025 and to massively reduce the use of virgin plastic, thereby further substantiating its position as a leader in sustainable innovation.
These new packaging developments are an important milestone in Nestlé’s progress in the direction of sustainability and prove that through innovation and dedication, huge leaps can be taken in the fight against plastic waste.