Plastic-free Easter Eggs from Nestlé UK

With Easter now upon us, it's interesting to hear the news from Nestlé that they've reduced packaging across the entire Easter egg range by 30%, and have gone plastic-free on nearly all the range.

According to Nestlé, it's the first time a big manufacturer has done so, and it's in response to consumers requesting these kind of changes, a move that is expected to save almost 700 tonnes of waste this year.

The company has conducted research into consumer attitudes to Easter eggs, and it turns out that British consumers are pretty eco-minded. More than half of Brits admit they have previously been put off Easter treats by excessive packaging (55%), but half of shoppers questioned said they would actually ditch their usual egg in favour of one with reduced packaging (51%). Two thirds of UK adults will be giving Easter eggs this year (64%), with the average Brit handing out two and a half eggs each.

Other interesting statistics are shared below.

*All small and medium eggs (80% of Nestlé's total range), from favourite brands such as SMARTIES®, KIT KAT®, AERO® and MILKY BAR®, will now come in a cardboard basket, which is easily recyclable

*Nestlé is also providing clear recycling information on the back of the boxes to help consumers

*The sweets inside SMARTIES® and MILKY BAR® small eggs have also had their plastic packaging removed

*Because eggs are more compact, the move will save 48,000 road miles in transporting Easter eggs

*The 30% reduction exceeds the WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) industry agreement to reduce medium egg carton weight by 25%

*Overall waste from all Easter eggs sold in UK in 2006 - 4,500 tonnes p.a. WRAP

*Waste saved by Nestlé's packaging reduction: 700 tonnes in 2009

*Nestlé sells one in four of the UK's Easter eggs Neilsen, data to w/e 22 March 08

*Easter chocolate sales represent 10% of Britain's annual chocolate sales

*Nestlé Confectionery will produce 25 million chocolate eggs for Easter 2009

Evian and Volvic bottled water

Bottled water gets bad rap from environmentalists. One of the reasons is that the bottles are made from plastic and only a small percentage of these are recycled. The rest end up in landfill.

The company behind Evian and Volvic - Danone, plans to address this by recycling as many plastic water bottles as it uses in the UK.

At the moment, the bottles are made with 25% recycled plastic. Danone want its bottles to be made from at least 50% recycled plastic within the next few years.

In addition, they plan to recycle one bottle and reuse the plastic for every bottle sold, effectively making the brand 'plastics-neutral' with the intention of becoming truly 'carbon neutral' by 2011.

The company believes it will save up to £250,000 a year, which Danone will commit to environmental projects.

Evian and volvic branded water is readily available from most supermarkets and some local convenience stores.