SWITZERLAND – Nestle SA has launched a new recyclable paper wrapping for its YES! snack bars in an effort to make all its packaging recyclable.

Given a breakthrough with the technology, Nestle said it hopes to extend recyclable paper packaging to other products in the confectionery industry.

The paper wrapping guarantees product quality, freshness and extended shelf life just like plastic films and laminates used in high-speed production of shelf-stable snacks.

The YES! snacks packaged in paper using a high-speed flow wrap technology will be widely recycled in countries where it will be available.

The paper is sourced from sustainable sources, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and The Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.

“Consumers are looking for more natural and sustainable options when they choose a snack, both in terms of ingredients and packaging,” said Patrice Bula, Head of Strategic Business Units, Marketing and Sales at Nestlé.

“Our YES! bars are made with wholesome ingredients that celebrate and care for Nature’s diversity.

“We are now relaunching them carefully wrapped in paper, making the packaging easy to recycle and avoiding plastic waste.”

Nestle said with the new paper wrapper, YES! snack bars will be launched in more countries including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

More countries in Europe and beyond will follow soon.

YES! nut bar is a vegetarian product. high in fiber, and a source of protein while the fruit and vegetable bars are vegan, gluten free, lactose free, high in fiber, and have no added sugar.

The launch further reinforces Nestle’s global commitment to make all its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

In January, the company set its broader vision for a waste-free future and announced a series of specific actions to meet this commitment.

These efforts will be supported by the recently launched Nestlé Institute for Packaging Sciences to foster research and innovation by developing sustainable packaging materials.

Nestle has also partnered China’s Tsinghua x-lab to foster innovation and development of sustainable packaging solutions.