Easter eggs get eco-friendly

This year Easter Eggs are getting a 'green' makeover, making them kinder to the environment and easier to recycle. Easter eggs originally symbolised the new life of springtime, so it's fitting that this year seasonal chocolate treats are getting back to nature with an eco-friendly makeover.

According to statistics from WRAP (Waste & Resource Action Programme), waste packaging from Easter eggs stands at about 4,500 tonnes every year.

But this Easter Nestlé, which sells one in four of the UK's Easter eggs, is taking action to cut packaging on all its eggs and help people recycle them.

Nestlé is the first major confectionery company to remove the plastic inserts from most (80%) of its eggs. The company has also reduced packaging across its range of eggs by a massive 30% overall -the same weight as 100 double-decker buses.

Packaging on smaller eggs will be reduced by a quarter and larger ones by over a third. The small eggs also now contain loose sweets inside the chocolate egg meaning a plastic bag is no longer needed. Eggs will also come with a family-friendly recycling guide attached.

Less packaging also means the eggs take up less space, so fewer lorry journeys will be needed to transport them. It is estimated that up to 200 lorry journeys, or 48,000 road miles, will be saved this year, resulting in a further reduction in emissions.

Although some larger eggs - those containing mugs and gifts - will continue to come in plastic packaging for stronger protection, this is of the 100% recyclable variety.

Whether you're buying eggs for your choccy-mad children or looking forward to a spot of decadent indulgence yourself, the new scheme means you can enjoy a guilt-free Easter treat.

The initiative comes in response to increasing consumer concern about excessive packaging and is part of a wider drive from Nestlé to reduce the packaging it uses and to ensure that any packaging used can be recycled.

David Rennie, manager director at Nestlé Confectionery comments: "By removing plastic and providing recycling advice on the remaining packaging we hope we've made it easier for consumers to do their bit for the environment."

The move is also warmly welcomed by Laura Underwood from WRAP. She says, "The work Nestlé is doing to reduce Easter egg packaging will cut waste by 700 tonnes this year. This will make a huge amount of difference to the amount of rubbish going into landfill this Easter."

For more information visit nestle.co.uk or recyclenow.com.