Nestle recently pledged to convert to reusable and recyclable plastic only by 2025 but has already gone further with their newest packaging designs in Japan. Instead of being wrapped in plastic, the company’s beloved chocolate Kit Kat bars will be stored in origami paper.
The idea is that each packet is given a pattern and a guide on how to transform the waste into the cute and classical crane origami figure. The DIY crafting makes Nestle’s Kit Kats something more than just a sweet treat by adding an interactive aspect to the product-consumer relation. On top of that, the underlying idea is that the paper waste will be in use for a longer time and that consumers may be given more time and opportunity to reflect upon their own waste consumption.
Though seemingly trivial in the fight for waste reduction, the Fast Company news site forecasts that this change will decrease the corporation’s annual plastic consumption by a staggering 380 tonnes.
The environmentally friendly packaging will enter the Japanese market later this month and will feature the country’s most beloved Kit Kat Mini flavours including the original milk chocolate, matcha green tea, and the otona-no-amasa , or “sweetness for adults”, a bitter chocolate flavour.
Not stopping at the mini packets, Kit Kat Japan has already announced a debut of paper packaging for their normal-sized multi-packs as well as individual Kit Kat bars in between September and next year.
Nestle’s efforts confirm that consumer-orientation and creativity in innovation is key to a sustainable future within the retail industry.
Read more about environmental efforts in retail with this article about UK Supermarkets Eliminating Black Plastic.
Featured image: @Nestle Japan
