Nestle makes huge change to Quality Street tubs leaving shoppers divided

The change is being trialled across the country

The iconic chocolate brand, which will no doubt once again be appearing in living rooms across the country as Christmas approaches, has announced it is launching paper tubs for the first time.

From next Monday, customers will be able to pick up the eco-friendly tubs at 60 Tesco stores across the UK.

This is part of a trial that will see Nestle gauge customer response to the product.

The paper tubs are still the iconic Quality Street purple and will feature a "re-close" mechanism to make sure the lid can still be securely put back on after its opened.

Once empty, the paper tubs can simply be chucked in with the rest of the recycling.

Nestle says the new paper tub boasts a luxurious design and feel, thanks to some gold foil embellishment. However if previous Quality Street changes are anything to go by, the new tubs could leave shoppers divided.

Two years ago, the brand announced they were changing the individual wrappers on each chocolate in the tub. Quality Street confirmed in October 2022 that the wrappers would no longer be made from shiny plastic and foil, with each chocolate instead being encased in waxed paper that is easier to recycle.

This angered a number of customers, who claimed the new wrappers looked "cheap."

However, anyone still pining for some plastic this winter need not worry, as shoppers will still be able to purchase the plastic tub, tin, pouch, and carton at stores nationwide this Christmas.

The move to paper is part of Quality's Street's drive to cut its use of virgin plastic.

Jemma Handley, Senior Brand Manager for Quality Street, said: “We’re looking forward to seeing what Quality Street fans make of the paper tub. A lot of care and hard work has gone into the trial and we’re proud to be the first major manufacturer to trial a paper tub at Christmas. The beautiful design has been devised specifically for a paper product and we love how it looks, and of course, shoppers can expect the same great tasting Quality Street sweets that they know and love inside.”

“We know there are some Quality Street fans who, controversially, like to put their wrappers back in the tub once they’ve eaten them - with the paper tub, they can put the paper wrappers back for a good reason - it can go straight into the recycling.”