Smarties switches to recyclable paper packaging

Nestlé has announced that its popular Smarties brand is now using recyclable paper packaging for its confectionery products worldwide.WATCH BELOW: Four ingredient chocolate cake

The new change sees Nestlé become the first confectionery brand to make the move to fully recyclable paper packaging.

While some Smarties packs sold in Australia are already in paper, the change sees all plastic packaging replaced with new recyclable paper packaging.

According to the brand, the switch will remove approximately 250 million plastic packs sold globally every year.

The change sees all plastic packaging replaced with new recyclable paper packaging. (Credit: Supplied)

“Shifting Smarties packaging to recyclable paper is an important step in realising Nestlé’s ambition to reduce our use of virgin plastics by a third by 2025,” said Nestlé General Manager Confectionery Chris O’Donnell.While the Smarties range may look different on the outside, fans will find the same Smartiesthey know and love on the inside.The paper used in the range is all sourced sustainably, including coated paper, paper labels, and carton board. The Australasian Recycling Label is also included on all packs so that Smarties fans know how to recycle the packs, and to raise consumer awareness.

“We also had to invest in upgrading all the factories that make Smarties.” (Credit: Supplied)

“Developing safe and convenient paper-based solutions for Smarties has required pioneering new materials and testing by Nestlé packaging experts at both our Confectionery R&D Centre in the UK and the Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences in Switzerland,” added Chris.“We also had to invest in upgrading all the factories that make Smarties. The paper packaging requires careful handling, so we needed to adapt our manufacturing lines to allow for the new formats,” he said.The Nestlé factory at Campbellfield in Melbourne upgraded its manufacturing process to shift to paper packaging, investing in new production equipment including a new wrapper machine.

Shopping Editor Chanelle Mansour Shopping Editor, Entertainment

Chanelle Mansour is the Shopping Editor for New Idea, where she covers the intersection of pop culture, lifestyle, and fashion. Chanelle has worked across both digital and print platforms, building expertise in entertainment media and consumer trends. Her writing appears in ELLE, marie claire, WHO, TV WEEK and more, where she tracks everything from buzzy new shows to celebrity-driven style moments. With years of experience reporting on the entertainment industry, Chanelle specialises in translating cultural trends into practical shopping recommendations. Whether highlighting fashion inspired by the latest streaming hit or curating lifestyle products aligned with online trends, her work is grounded in research, cultural fluency, and a sharp editorial eye.

Smarties swaps out packaging for a recyclable option

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