Our guide to the finest plastic-free and low-plastic chocolate gifts

Let us introduce you to some low-plastic chocolate treats that don’t cost the Earth

No one wants to buy more packaging than they have to, but going low-plastic or plastic-free for your chocolate gifts is often easier said than done. Unfortunately, despite your good intentions, manufacturers aren’t always on the same page. 

When it comes to classic gifts like chocolate, most of your options will be padded to the max with packaging. From plastic to tissue paper, more often than not, these materials aren’t recycled or recyclable.

Fortunately, some chocolate brands are beginning to instigate change — like our team at Hotel Chocolat. As part of our Planet Pledge, we’ve been paying close attention to our packaging over the last few years, eliminating plastic wherever possible and completely removing black plastic from our range. We’re proud to say that 96% of our packaging is already recyclable or reusable. We’re busy working on that final 4%.

Do you want to share eco-friendly treats with your loved ones? Read on for our guide to low-plastic chocolate gifts. Let’s take a look at why chocolate is usually packaged in plastic, as well as our tips for choosing low-plastic chocolate gifts.

Why does chocolate often feature plastic packaging?

No brand wants their chocolate to arrive in their stores or a customer’s house broken to pieces. And for most companies, the solution to this problem is plastic packaging. As demonstrated by the prominence of plastic packaging in our supermarkets, manufacturers aren’t afraid to add layers upon layers of plastic to keep their goods in a pristine, customer-friendly condition.

Manufacturers also have a legal obligation to ensure that their products remain in a safe condition to eat, and plastic wrapping can help to keep things hygienic.

Charpak: the UK’s first circular economy for plastic

Still, using plastic doesn’t have to be problematic if clear 100% recyclable plastic is chosen instead of unrecyclable varieties — like black plastic. For example, through partnering with a packaging manufacturer called Charpack, we are part of the UK’s first circular economy for plastic, turning plastic waste into a manufacturing resource in Cambridgeshire.

Charpak is a real innovator within the sustainable packaging industry in the UK. They also happen to be based down the road from our chocolate factory. By using Charpak packaging, it means that all the rigid plastic packaging used in our chocolate boxes is 100% recyclable and can be used again instead of being dumped in landfill.

We’ve even found that using plastic as part of a circular economy is more sustainable (for us, at least) than using biodegradable and compostable bagasse. Bagasse is a by-product of sugarcane production. However, as sugarcane is grown in tropical regions far away from the UK, all the transport involved in getting it here creates a larger carbon footprint than recyclable plastic packaging. Plus, while bagasse is compostable, there is no UK-wide infrastructure for kerbside disposal of compostable packaging. As a result, it often just ends up in landfill.

The problem with black plastic packaging

This being said, we have eradicated the use of a particular type of plastic at Hotel Chocolat. As mentioned above, black plastic can’t be recycled. Well, it might be more accurate to say that it could, but it isn’t.

Why? The waste-sorting technology used in UK recycling centres relies on near-infrared technology to identify plastic. However, as black plastic doesn’t reflect much light, it escapes detection. It’s often miscategorised and reaches its final destination in landfill, rather than as a recycled product.

For this reason, we’ve decided to stop using black plastic in all of our products. While technology might improve over the next few years, for now, black plastic is a no-go.

Top tips for choosing chocolate gifts with plastic-free and low-plastic packaging

After so much discussion about plastic, finding low-plastic chocolate gifts might seem like an impossible job. But not to fear. There are some easy things to keep in mind when browsing for your chocolate treats.

Check the recycling details on the packaging

Leading on from our explanation on the different types of plastics and recyclability, check the disposal guidelines on the chocolate packaging. If you can’t recycle it in your local area, don’t buy it.

You’ll find material and recycling details on all our products. Most likely, you’ll find that everything is either recyclable or reusable.

Also, stay away from products packaged with polystyrene (it is not easy to recycle, nor is it biodegradable). Don’t worry, we never use it to package our chocolates. We’ve opted for 100% recyclable corrugated paper instead — which works a treat.

Look for chocolates that aren’t individually wrapped

As you can imagine, individually wrapping chocolates only leads to more packaging being used, and more waste. Look for chocolate bags, boxes, or tins instead of those in a single-serve style. For most gifting occasions, there is no need for the extra packaging. And there are so many other options around. Just take a look at our Chocolate Boxes or Chocolate Hampers for inspiration.

Opt for reusable tins

Opting for chocolates that come in a beautiful reusable tin could be a great resolution to your plastic-free quest. Our Pink & Champagne Classic Truffle Tins are a wonderful example of gorgeous chocolates packaged in the sleekest tins that your giftee will be able to find a million uses for. Luxurious truffles made with real Mercier Champagne, cream and milk chocolate — what more could you want?

For a less glamorous gift (but one that will be a winner with tea and coffee lovers), see our delectable Chocolat Shortbread Tin. It’s packed with opulent milk chocolate, dark, and nut and nib shortbreads. This tin would be ideal for storing postcards, stamps, and other office bits and bobs.

Look for boxes that can be reused

Likewise, look for reusable chocolate boxes. Our Signature Cabinet is the perfect reusable hamper. Your giftee will get to enjoy three show-stopping tiers of our most iconic truffles, pralines, caramels, macarons and more. They can then convert the chic, black box into anything they desire. We think this cabinet would make a particularly lovely jewellery box, but it could just as neatly fit pens, paperclips, and erasers if you have any stationery-obsessed friends.

Go for larger products

Again, if you don’t need to give your loved one single-serves, opt for the larger packet. For example, instead of gifting single-serve hot chocolate sachets, give them a large hot chocolate pouch. One large packet generally uses less material than lots of smaller packets, so keeping this in mind can help to keep your gift low-plastic and low-waste.

Our Planet Pledge

If you want to learn more about our sustainability commitments, take a closer look at our Planet Pledge and read about what we are doing for our farmers, workers, and the planet throughout our business.

Planet-conscious chocolate gifts from Hotel Chocolat

Browse our sustainable chocolate gifts today — from fabulous chocolate boxes and petite Selectors, to exciting chocolate gift sets and cacao-infused tipples. Our chocolatiers have created a wonderful selection of treats — all made with eco-friendly cacao and packaging at the core.