Reduction in 2009′s Easter Waste
This year’s Easter sees confectionary giants Birmingham-based Cadbury, Nestle, Marks and Spencer and Mars achieving significant reductions in the packaging of chocolate eggs.
The move came after a voluntary agreement by the sector last year to tackle the waste from egg packaging that amounts to 3,000 tonnes yearly in the United Kingdom by 155,000 tonnes by 2010.
Cadbury has reduced the packaging in medium eggs by 25% and large eggs by 36%.
Nestle and Marks & Spencer have reduced egg packaging by almost 30%, with Marks and Spencer’s signature ‘Max the Bunny’ egg being reduced by 90% by using a plastic film instead of plastic drum packaging.
Mars achieved a 42% reduction in cardboard weight and all manufacturers are giving advice on how to dispose of the packaging.
Mark Barthel, a spokesman for WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) who encouraged the waste agreement between Easter egg manufacturers, said: “Customers should see a real difference on supermarket shelves this year.
“With seasonal confectionery receiving criticism for excessive packaging over recent years, I’m delighted to see the sector responding so positively and collectively.”
As well as reducing the amount of packaging, many of the manufacturers have also increased their use of recycled sources.
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Reshma Karia says:
Nice story Nat!!
Mar. 5 at 4:27 pmwho knew eggs were taking up so much waste!!!
Phil Gordon says:
Good story. Never thought about how much waste Easter eggs caused until now.
Mar. 5 at 8:02 pmMary Hinge says:
Although this seems a promising move by the confectionery companies, one cannot help but be a little cynical. May the action not be both a method of reducing production costs and a free source of publicity? Certainly one may question the green motives of Cadbury, which is in the process of transferring much of its production to Poland, with its cheaper labour costs and less stringent safety rules, even though the bulk of product made in Poland will have to be shipped to be sold in Britain. Little thought for the carbon footprint there.
Mar. 7 at 7:03 pmNatalie Adcock says:
A good point Mary, there is argument that companies choose cost effectiveness over the environment, but often use the environmentally friendly angle as a PR gimmick.
There is still definitely room for improvement on Cadbury and Nestle’s behalf – Marks and Spencer managed to cut down the packaging of 90% on one product by using plastic film.
However I guess we all have to take this as positive step, whatever the motive, and hope that even more will be done in the future.
Mar. 7 at 8:01 pmGovernment needs to tackle greenwash claims : Birmingham Recycled says:
[...] based Cadbury this Easter reduced their carbon footprint by cutting the packaging of medium eggs by 25% and large eggs by 36%, but a labeling system would [...]
Apr. 1 at 5:46 pm