Say Goodbye to Evil Plastic! Nestlé Establishes Research Institute to Promote 100% Recyclable Eco-friendly Packaging. As a global food manufacturer, Nestlé used 1.7 million tons of plastic packaging in the past year, making it undeniably responsible for the increasing global plastic pollution. In response to environmental calls for plastic reduction, Nestlé announced the establishment of a new research institute dedicated to developing more environmentally friendly food packaging. Greenpeace has previously singled out Nestlé, claiming the company is one of the main culprits of plastic pollution. Nestlé's annual sales reach $90 billion, and its brand is ubiquitous, from mineral water and various beverages to chocolate, with each product relying heavily on plastic packaging.
Nestlé plans to leverage the power of its Institute of Packaging Sciences to achieve its goal of using 100% environmentally friendly packaging by 2025. With rising environmental awareness and pressure from consumers, governments, and third-party organizations, Nestlé has been searching for solutions to environmentally friendly packaging. However, the products offered by suppliers have not satisfied Nestlé. Therefore, they established the Institute of Packaging Sciences in Lausanne, Switzerland, hoping to use science to create a new generation of environmentally friendly packaging. Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider stated that in their vision, no Nestlé packaging will end up in a landfill. The packaging will bear Nestlé's name; they have decided to personally lead the birth of environmentally friendly packaging. Back in 2018, Nestlé pledged to replace all plastic packaging by 2025, with all its products using 100% recyclable and reusable environmentally friendly packaging. Hoping to solidify consumer loyalty by playing the "environmental card," Nestlé has pledged to achieve 100% eco-friendly packaging within five years. Approximately 50 scientists have been stationed at the Packaging Science Institute. These researchers will collaborate with external scholars, startups, and other Nestlé research institutions to develop streamlined, easily recyclable packaging, as well as biodegradable materials that can be used as fertilizer. According to an official press release, internal scientists are researching beverage packaging made from recyclable materials and paper materials that can replace plastic to maintain product freshness. Schneider openly stated that they hope this effort will strengthen consumer loyalty to Nestlé and boost sales. As a pioneer in eco-friendly packaging research, Nestlé plans to license its commercially viable results to third-party companies. Currently, Nestlé has developed recyclable paper packaging for products such as cocoa powder and nutrition bars; Nestlé Japan recently announced that it will give Kit Kat chocolates a new eco-friendly paper makeover in late September.
Nestlé Japan announced that it will switch all KitKat chocolates to environmentally friendly paper packaging in late September. On the same day as the opening of its Packaging Science Research Institute, Nestlé also pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, contributing to efforts to combat rising temperatures. Specific actions listed by Nestlé include a greater focus on plant-based, low-carbon footprint foods; strengthening cooperation with farmers to protect forests through tree planting and biodiversity conservation; and expanding the use of renewable energy. Currently, about one-third of Nestlé's factories use 100% renewable energy, with plans to expand this to all factories in the future. (Source: Digital Times, 2019/09/16)
