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A moment on the lips? Christmas chocolate packaging can last an eternity in our oceans

Those glitzy Christmas treats may only last a moment on the lips - but many will last an eternity...
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Newstalk

14.59 14 Dec 2018


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A moment on the lips? Christma...

A moment on the lips? Christmas chocolate packaging can last an eternity in our oceans

Newstalk
Newstalk

14.59 14 Dec 2018


Share this article


Those glitzy Christmas treats may only last a moment on the lips - but many will last an eternity in the world's oceans and environment.

Boxes of Christmas sweets and biscuits are an essential part of the holiday experience in many households, but according to a study in the UK, many are packaged with materials that are not recyclable or compostable.

The plastic pollution crisis has never been far from the headlines this year, with a 2017 study warning that more than eight million metric tonnes of it ending up in the ocean every year.

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Meanwhile, scientists have proved for the first time that, as a result, humans are ingesting microscopic plastic particles in their food.

The study from the Environment Agency Austria examined stool samples from people from Europe, Japan and Russia and found up to nine different types of plastic in every sample.

Previous studies have found significant amounts of plastic in tuna, lobster and shrimp.

UK consumer group Which? compared the packaging of some of the most popular Christmas selection boxes in the run-up to the holidays and set out which ones made use of the most packaging - and which packages utilised the most recyclable material.

The study found that the 32-piece Ferrero Rocher Collection uses the most packaging - with the wrapping making up 42.2% of the weight of the box.

The Lindt Lindor Assorted Mix was found to contain the least packaging of all the branded sweets in the study.

 

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The majority of the packaging included in the study was found to recyclable - however it also found "a surprising" amount" that wasn't.

According to Which? most of the brands use boxes made from cardboard or PET plastic, which can be widely recycled - meaning the only non-recyclable elements are the chocolate wrappers themselves.

Lindt was found to be top of the class with the most recyclable material. Only the individual chocolate wrappers and the plastic window in the cardboard box were found not to be recyclable.

 

It seems the ambassador was spoiling the planet all along however - with the majority of Ferrero Rocher found to be made from polystyrene which is not easily recyclable.

The plastic tubs that Celebrations, Roses, Quality Street and Heroes are all made from PET 1.

The study found that aluminium foil "features heavily" in chocolate wrapping.

The consumer group said it is "technically recyclable" - however the small size of the wrappers mean it will get lost in the machines during the process.

It is advising the public to gather the wrapper together and scrunch them into a ball before throwing them in the recycling.

 

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Following the study, the Ferrero group said the polystyrene packaging is "important to protect the chocolates from damage and display them distinctively." that company said it encourages customers to reuse the boxes.

Mars said its packaging is designed to "maintain freshness and quality" but said it is working towards having 100% recyclable packaging by 2025.

Nestlé said the all of its packaging is recyclable - except the cellophane sweet wrappers which are made of compostable 'Natureflex.'

Cadbury said "robust packaging is essential to the shelf life of its products" but insisted it is working towards developing 100% recyclable packaging.

Lindt said it is working towards the same goal.


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