This article first appeared on Convenience & Impulse Retailing, authored by Tom Oakley-Newell

Nestlé Professional has invested $2.5 million into its Smithtown factory in NSW to support collaborative product development and bolster local manufacturing.

First up is a partnership with 7-Eleven to create the Hot Chockee cup, a recyclable cup, including the label and foil seal, which could save up to 95 tonnes of waste from entering landfill each year.

Kristina Czepl, general manager at Nestlé Professional Oceania, said the recent investment into the Smithtown factory has allowed them to collaborate on new packaging solutions such as the Hot Chockee cup.

“It is a great example of working with likeminded partners to pioneer alternative materials to facilitate better recycling.

“In addition, the investment will see the factory produce up to 4.7 million cups of Hot Chockee over the next 12 months.”

Fiona Baxter, head of sustainability at 7-Eleven, said the new Hot Chockee is made and packed in Australia, with approximately 68 per cent of ingredients sourced locally.

“The cup is now recyclable via kerbside recycling services. All elements of the cup can be placed in kerbside mixed recycling. This innovation helps both Nestlé and 7-Eleven to continue to work together towards our packaging sustainability targets.”