Last Updated on November 3, 2020, 2:08 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Nestle Trinidad and Tobago announced the launch of paper straws across the entire ready-to-drink range of the company.
Nestle said in a statement the move is a part of global efforts for making 100 per cent of packaging either reusable or recyclable by 2025.
The company said on October 23 that it had ceased production of plastic straws, and successfully transferred to the use of sustainably sourced paper straws across the entire range of ready-to-drink juice and dairy products.
Business Executive Officer for Dairy, Juices and RTD Beverages at Nestlé ADC, Elisa Doldron, said that this is the first step, sharing that the paper straw innovation of the company represents an 89 per cent reduction in plastic used in plastic straws at the Valsayn factory.
The company said that the transition to a paper straw wrap which encases the paper straw on the pack is already underway in the testing and design phases.
Elisa Doldron said that their paper straw and recycling initiative is led by their iconic local brand Nestlé ORCHARD®, and it is committed to ensuring that packaging is recycled.
This means that ensuring that their packaging is designed for investing, recycling and collaborating with partners for ensuring the closed loop infrastructure required for recycling is in place and informing consumers on where to recycle and how to recycle which all form part of their sustainable packaging commitment.
The company said that the paper straws are designed for recycling within the beverage container, and they shall be pushed back into the pack and disposed of in the beverage container recycling bins.
The paper straws are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council ensuring that the straws come from responsibly managed forests, and have the U-shaped bend of the traditional plastic straw.
Conrad Chang, Process and Packaging Specialist at Nestlé ADC, said that the consumers could look out for the rollout of Nestlé’s new paper straws in shops and supermarkets nationwide on a phased basis, over the next few weeks.
Nestlé said that it would continue working on a series of initiatives aimed at sustainability-based initiatives and further reductions in packaging material, accelerating actions towards their global 100 per cent reusable or recyclable by 2025 commitment.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
