When it comes to chocolate, there's nothing quite like a KitKat; the delectable combination of creamy chocolate and crispy wafer is sure to be a hit with anyone feeling a bit peckish.

The beloved chocolate brand is known for experimenting with some pretty out-there flavour combinations (green tea KitKat, anyone?) and regularly make waves with their product offerings. This time, the company has rolled out something pretty special - and it's available exclusively in Coles Supermarkets!

Starting this month, Aussie shoppers in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory will have access to a 'global first' KitKat bar – a 45g four-finger bar exclusive to Coles supermarkets.

But what makes this product different? It comes in a brand-new wrapper: made with a combination of new and recycled paper!

It’s an environmentally friendly approach to packaging and it fits actively into Nestlé's plan to reduce their use of ‘virgin plastic’ by a third by 2025. If, like us, you hadn’t heard the term before, virgin plastic is the direct resin produced from a petrochemical feedstock, such as natural gas or crude oil, which has never been used or processed before - i.e. the opposite of ‘recycled’.

In several parts of Australia, KitKat is testing its 'global first' environmentally friendly paper packaging for its products. Credit: KitKat.

Nestlé Oceania general manager of confectionery and snacks Chris O’Donnell said they were proud to be launching the trial.

'With all packaging innovations, our priority is to ensure we deliver the same delicious KitKat with creamy chocolate and crisp wafer,' he said.

Coles general manager of grocery Leanne White said the supermarket was “thrilled” to partner with Nestlé.

Ms White remarked: 'As part of Coles’ Together to Zero waste ambition, we are committed to reducing plastic packaging wherever possible.'

'We’re really proud to work with fantastic suppliers like Nestlé to trial a new packaging solution for one of Aussies’ favourite chocolate bar.'

Customers are being invited to give feedback on the new wrapper via a QR code found on each block.

The trial has been warmly welcomed by all involved, with KitKat emphasising their commitment to employing innovative solutions when it comes to sustainable practices.

As well as wanting to decrease the use of virgin plastics, they are also keen to help customers dispose of their packaging responsibly. The paper wrappers are designed to be recycled in home recycling bins, complete with clear instructions to encourage responsible disposal.

The eco-friendly initiative comes at a crucial time for KitKat, with the nationwide scheme for recycling soft plastics having been suspended back in November after REDcycle — the company responsible for the program — ceased operations. Consumers have been advised to put all soft plastics in landfill, until a new solution has been found.

Key Takeaways

• Nestlé has launched a “global first” with its iconic Kit Kat bars which are being wrapped in new paper packaging, exclusive to Coles supermarkets in various Australian states.
• The new packaging is part of Nestlé’s goal to reduce their use of virgin plastics by a third by 2025.
• Consumers are encouraged to give feedback on the wrappers via a QR code and their feedback will be used to shape Nestlés next step in their movement to become more eco-friendly.
• The new paper wrapping for Kit Kat can be recycled in the home recycling bins and contains instructions to encourage consumers to do so.
• The soft plastic wrappers, meant to be recycled, have been suspended across the country due to the collapse of REDcycle.
• Consumers are encouraged to dispose of their soft plastics in landfill until a solid solution is found.

So, next time you’re at Coles, why not see if you can get your hands on the 'global first' KitKat bars and do your bit for the planet at the same time?

It’s good to know that companies like Nestlé and Coles are making it easier for us to be part of the sustainability solution!

Members, we’d love to hear your thoughts on KitKat’s new paper packaging! Are you keen to get your hands on this new product? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

 

[Ricci]

Talk about "Back to the Future". What do these people think chocolate bars were wrapped in before plastics became a thing? Oh yes, that's right, paper!!

 

[Lizzylou]

Nice to know that we are finally going back to what is able to be recycled.

 

[Macarj]

Yeah everything old is new again

 

[JayKay]

Remember when the KitKats were sealed in silver foil, with the famous red sleeve over the foil.
It was so much fun sliding the sleeve off to tear the foil gently, eat one strip, fold the foil back over the remainder and carefully replace the red paper sleeve.
Ooohhh, we were so clever!

 

[Zemo]

Like, wow, man! That is just so, so groovy! To use again another couple of so-often-over-used words, it's a game changer! Who'da thunk it?