KitKat unveils wrappers with 90% recycled plastic in Australia

KitKat unveils wrappers with 90% recycled plastic in Australia

Sustainability

KitKat is increasing the use of recycled plastic in the wrappers of select products to an impressive 90% (mass balance), marking an Australian milestone and outpacing other major food brands in the country.

This move by KitKat translates to an annual reduction of 1,200,000 square meters of virgin plastic – an area equivalent to approximately 1000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The allocation of the 90% recycled plastic follows the ISCC^ mass balance approach, ensuring a transparent and eco-friendly production process.

The newly updated wrappers will grace beloved KitKat treats such as the classic 4-finger KitKat, KitKat Gold, KitKat Chunky Aero Mint, and the iconic KitKat block.

This endeavour builds upon KitKat's previous achievement, as last year it became Australia's inaugural food brand to wrap its products in soft plastic made with 30% recycled plastic, using the mass balance method. Since then, more than 40 million KitKat 4-finger bars have been enveloped in this sustainable packaging.

KitKats big break for soft plastic credit Nestlé
KitKat's big break for soft plastic © Nestlé

The freshly packaged KitKat products are available nationwide.

Nestlé General Manager Confectionery, Andrew Lawrey, said: KitKat lovers tell us they want breaks for good – and that packaging matters to them. Their appetite for change is accelerating and we know they are looking for better packaging, including packaging made with more recycled material. It’s critical that our packaging keeps KitKat safe and fresh and delivers that delicious snap consumers love. While recycled plastic suitable for soft plastic food wrappers continues to be scarce, we will keep working closely with our suppliers to transition as quickly as possible.

Nestlé, the parent company of KitKat, is committed to expanding the use of food-grade soft plastic wrappers made with recycled plastic (mass balance) across more product ranges as global availability of this sustainable resource increases.

Latest Packaging News

Allpack awarded SafeSupplier verification
Supplier News

Allpack awarded SafeSupplier verification

Allpack, a leading innovator in the packaging industry, is proud to announce its recent achievement...
Liberty Coca-Cola ditches plastic multipack rings for paper packaging
Sustainability

Liberty Coca-Cola ditches plastic multipack rings for paper packaging

Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages (serving Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City) has joined forces...
Romania inaugurates 'world's largest' deposit return system
Sustainability

Romania inaugurates 'world's largest' deposit return system

Romania has introduced the "world's largest" centralised deposit return system (DRS), boasting...
Ellen MacArthur Foundation calls for reuse revolution
Sustainability

Ellen MacArthur Foundation calls for reuse revolution

In a recent announcement from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a call for a transformative shift...
Ireland off course to meet mandatory EU recycling targets
Sustainability

Ireland off course to meet mandatory EU recycling targets

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its Circular Economy and Waste Statistics...