Nestlé Cereals has announced a new initiative in the UK that will see it reduce the amount of packaging that it uses for its products in a bid to help keep unnecessary waste out of the landfill. The packaging reduction will be observed across the company's core cereals including Cheerios, Shreddies, Shredded Wheat Bitesize and Honey Nut Shredded Wheat, and will see a reduction of between 13% and 15%. This will reportedly keep 618 tonnes of packaging out of circulation in 2021 and curb emissions dramatically.
VP of UK & Oceania at Cereal Partners Worldwide - a partnership between Nestlé Cereals and General Mills Gharry Eccles spoke on the new initiative saying, "Our goal has been to create the ‘perfect box’ and I’m extremely proud we have achieved this huge milestone in our journey to reduce our impact on the planet. This is all part of our mission to both reduce and improve our packaging and will complement our commitment to making 100% of our breakfast cereals’ packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, which we are already well on our way to achieving. While the dimensions of our packs might have changed slightly, consumers can continue to enjoy the same breakfast cereals they know and love, while knowing excess packaging has been removed too."
Cereal Packaging Reduction Initiatives
Nestlé Cereals is Removing 618 Tonnes of Packaging in 2021
Trend Themes
1. Packaging Reduction - As consumers become more aware of environmental concerns, there is a growing opportunity for businesses to invest in packaging reduction initiatives and offer Earth-friendly alternatives.
2. Sustainable Packaging - There is also an opportunity for businesses to innovate and invest in sustainable packaging materials such as biodegradable plastics, compostable materials and packaging made from plant-based sources.
3. Circular Economy - The move towards a circular economy model presents an opportunity for companies to think more sustainably about the entire lifecycle of their products, including packaging, and seek out innovative ways to reduce waste.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can benefit from packaging reduction initiatives and sustainable packaging innovations to not only reduce waste but also appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
2. Consumer Goods - Consumer goods companies can incorporate sustainability into their branding and products through packaging reduction and sustainable packaging.
3. Retail - Retailers can leverage sustainability as a competitive advantage by partnering with suppliers who are committed to reducing their packaging waste and offer Earth-friendly packaging alternatives.