To encourage Australians to recycle their soft plastics — such as chocolate and lolly wrappers — Nestle are printing a KitKat-inspired recycling symbol on each chocolate bar along with an explicit call to drop off wrappers at REDcycle collection bins, found in most Australian supermarkets.
The move comes on the back of research commissioned by the confectionary giant, showing that one-in-four people are unaware that they can recycle soft plastics, with a further 17 per cent unaware that soft plastics need to be recycled separately from regularly household recycling.
The research further revealed a significant amount of soft plastics (around 20 per cent) end up in landfill due to being incorrectly placed in the recycling or rubbish bin at home.
Nestlé Head of Marketing Confectionery Joyce Tan said the brand wanted to work with Aussies to help them 'Give the Planet a Break' and recycle their soft plastics right.
"We know Australians have great intentions when it comes to recycling but our research shows that unfortunately over a third of us (37%) either forget to drop off our soft plastics at the supermarket, say we can't be bothered to take them back to store, or don't have anywhere to store them at home," Ms Tan said.
"In order to encourage everyone to recycle right and drop off their KitKat wrappers and other soft plastics at REDcycle collections bins, we've turned our iconic pack into a reminder Aussies can't miss."
The chocolate manufacturer also created a reference website, givetheplanetabreak.com.au, featuring more information on how to recycle soft plastics correctly.
"Putting good reminders or systems in place, like stowing your soft plastics in a reusable shopping bag until you go back to the supermarket, will go a long way to helping you recycle more soft plastics — and give the planet a break."
