Smurfit Westrock and Nestlé Partner to Launch Sustainable Quality Street Packaging

Source: Smurfit Westrock

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In an innovative collaboration, Smurfit Westrock has teamed up with Nestlé to introduce a paper-based packaging solution for Quality Street sweets, set to make its debut in Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket chain, this week.

The new design represents a significant step forward in Nestlé’s ongoing efforts to reduce its reliance on virgin plastic, replacing it with eco-friendly materials.

This sustainable packaging, part of Nestlé’s Better Planet Packaging initiative, features a beautifully crafted, hexagonal tub made from 100% paper-based materials. It offers consumers a fully recyclable product, as both the tub and the wrappers inside can now be disposed of in household recycling. The shift comes after Nestlé's successful transition to paper wrappers for Quality Street in 2022, which diverted over two billion plastic wrappers from landfills.

According to Saverio Mayer, CEO of Smurfit Westrock for Europe, MEA, and APAC, “The new paper-based tub is a standout solution that combines design, functionality, and sustainability. This collaboration showcases how we can use innovative materials to meet consumer demand for more eco-friendly packaging while ensuring the iconic Quality Street retains its appeal.”

The paper tub, which keeps Quality Street’s signature hexagonal shape and vibrant purple color, will debut alongside the traditional plastic version in select Tesco stores. Nestlé plans to monitor customer feedback closely, with Senior Brand Manager Jemma Handley highlighting that the company is excited to see how Quality Street fans will respond to the change.

With an ever-growing focus on sustainability, Smurfit Westrock's extensive experience in developing paper-based alternatives to plastic plays a central role in projects like this one. The new packaging design not only reduces CO2 emissions by fitting more boxes onto pallets but also aligns with a broader consumer shift towards environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.

By introducing this groundbreaking paper tub, Smurfit Westrock and Nestlé continue to set new standards for sustainability within the packaging and confectionery industries.

Smurfit Westrock is a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper solutions. Formed through the merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock, the company operates in over 30 countries and employs approximately 22,000 people. Smurfit Westrock offers a wide range of packaging products, including corrugated boxes, paper bags, labels, and flexible packaging solutions. Their focus on sustainability drives them to develop innovative and eco-friendly packaging options that reduce waste and environmental impact.