Consumers can bring reusable containers to retail outlets to purchase different types of Purina cat food and Nescafé soluble coffee from the in-store dispensers. They can also digitally access product information that is typically found on packaging, such as ingredients, nutritional values and shelf-life.
Working in collaboration with the start-up MIWA, Nestlé recently piloted the reusable and refillable dispensers in three Nestlé shops located in Rorschach, Orbe and La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland. During a four-month trial period, the dispensers were well received by consumers, claims Nestlé.
To further assess the dispensers’ effectiveness in preventing packaging waste along the supply chain, the dispensers are now being rolled out across more locations in the next few months.
Hélène Lanctuit, R&D packaging lead at Nestlé, said: “Packaging plays a key role in maintaining food safety during a product’s shelf-life. This means that whenever new packaging systems are explored we need to ensure that our products can be delivered to consumers in a safe and hygienic manner. These dispensers are novel because they incorporate smart technology which allows us to ensure product safety, and also guarantee the freshness and traceability of our products.”