This Sunday, in the UK and numerous regions around the globe, marks Easter Sunday, a significant Christian festival celebrated through various traditions. These include festive gatherings with loved ones, egg decoration, and most notably, indulging in chocolate eggs.
According to a recent article published by UK packaging manufacturers DS Smith, it is estimated that more than 90 million chocolate Easter eggs are purchased every year in the UK. The popularity of chocolate eggs is expected to continue in 2024, with £415 million forecasted to be spent on Easter eggs in the UK, with each child receiving on average 8.8 of these sweet treats.
Each year, millions of Easter eggs are bought and packaged in cardboard boxes, featuring a protective plastic casing enclosing the egg, typically covered in metallic foil… but is Easter egg packaging always disposed of correctly?
Easter Egg Packaging and the Environment
The extensive consumption of Easter eggs and the careless disposal of packaging during this season typically results negatively on the environment, contributing to a rise in landfill waste. Easter egg packaging is estimated to create 8,000 tonnes of packaging waste each year in the UK, with around 8 million eggs discarded without even being opened.
In recent years, the issue of packaging waste has escalated as society has become increasingly environmentally conscious. Consequently, Easter egg packaging has come under scrutiny, with numerous critics arguing that its packaging is excessive and unwarranted. There is a growing consumer opinion that chocolate Easter eggs contain too much packaging, with 59% of UK adults stating that these eggs are over-packaged and that brands should place greater focus on reducing overall packaging.
With increasing concerns regarding the sustainability of Easter egg packaging, are brands taking action to address these challenges? Let’s have a look at some of the confectionery brands aiming to become more sustainable this Easter.
Cadbury Australia is one of the biggest confectionery brands to put sustainable packaging first this Easter, as the company have refreshed their packaging to meet consumer demand for sustainable packaging. The plastic crates within the Cadbury Hollow Hunting Egg have been switched to 12 and 24-pack cartons, helping to save 131,000kg of plastic. The plastic sleeve within some of the additional Easter products has also been removed, decreasing overall packaging by 200,000kg.
Chococo is a UK-based family business that has been handcrafting chocolates since 2002. This Easter, the brand has launched a range of chocolate eggs featuring playful themes and shapes. Not only are these eggs hand-decorated, but they are also packaged in environmentally friendly, 100% plastic-free cardboard packaging.
Plamil Foods, a UK-based producer of vegan foods, prioritises flavour while catering to customer preferences by eliminating certain ingredients. Sustainability is a core value for Plamil, and this year, they’ve introduced a certified organic egg. Additionally, this product is manufactured in a facility powered by renewable energy, and its Easter egg packaging is completely devoid of plastic.
When it comes to sustainable packaging, UK packaging manufacturers DS Smith stand out as one of the top players in the packaging industry. In a bid to replace traditional plastic, DS Smith have partnered with confectionery product distributor Filir d.o.o to re-design packaging for the brand’s Easter product portfolio.
Their innovative approach involves replacing plastic packaging for Easter snacks with eco-friendly, 100% recyclable fiber-based alternatives. Additionally, they offer consumers a “fun-based” packaging solution designed for reuse.
These are just a few examples of brands committing to becoming more sustainable this Easter. As a consumer, you can also play your part in becoming more eco-conscious this Easter season by purchasing Easter products which are packaged with the environment in mind.
Learn about our extensive range of sustainable solutions suitable for Easter egg packaging within our exclusive product portfolio. Contact our team today to explore how we can help you find a packaging solution suited to meet your specifications.