Nestlé Cereals to reduce packaging in plastic fight

Nestlé Cereals said it will be reducing the amount of packaging used across its core brands in the UK as part of its sustainability measures.

The move is expected to remove an estimated 618 tonnes of plastic and cardboard packaging every year on average, with new on-shelf packs of new Cheerios, Shreddies, Shredded Wheat Bitesize and Honey Nut Shredded Wheat packs using between 13 and 15 per cent less packaging than before.

In addition, the business will be contributing to a reduction of 180 tonnes of CO₂ per annum as the optimised packs will help Nestlé Cereals UK use fewer lorries to transport its products to stores, saving an estimated total of 115,000 road miles in the process. The business has committed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“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,” commented Gharry Eccles, vice president UK & Oceania at Cereal Partners Worldwide (Nestlé & General Mills).

“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.”

The business said it plans to roll out the new packaging across a selection of other brands produced in its UK facilities next year.