SHOPPERS have been left fuming after spotting a major change to Quality Street chocolate tubs ahead of Christmas.
Nestle, the maker of the beloved festive staple, said it would be launching entirely paper tubs.
The recyclable box will be available to buy in around 60 Tesco stores from next Monday, October 14.
But customers are not too impressed with the eco-conscious container, with one going as far as to say their Christmas has been “ruined”.
Commenting on a social media post debuting the new box another shopper said: “Just when we thought we couldn’t sink any lower as a nation”.
While another said the decision has taken “the sparkle and excitement out of Christmas”.
“Hate it. No joy left,” they added.
The new tubs will come in the same octagonal shape and also feature a “re-close” mechanism that ensures the lid can be securely sealed even after opening.
Nestle said it is rolling out the paper tins as part of a trial and will gauge the product’s popularity among shoppers.
But some chocolate lovers are not a fan of the sustainable stance.
“Never recycled ought in my life..straight in the bin every time,” another disgruntled shopper said.
This is not the first time Nestle has shaken up how it serves its Christmas treats in the name of helping the planet.
Nestle fans were equally heartbroken when Quality Street chocolate wrappers were changed for the same reason in October 2022.
The iconic brightly coloured plastic and foil wrappers that had encased its famous chocolates for 86 years were replaced with a more understated form of waxed paper.
Shoppers are still recovering from the decision, with many still arguing on X, formally Twitter, that the new wrappers make the sweets look “cheap”.
One customer wrote: “I’m sorry, but they’re cheap-looking and depressing. They reek of war-time austerity.”
Nestle has a goal to make all of its packaging recyclable by 2025.
But it is not all doom and gloom for shoppers.
The introduction of the new paper tubs does not signal the immediate end of its plastic and metal tins.
Its 600g and 800g tubs are still available to buy at supermarkets and online.
New chocolate tins
Nestle, launched a new version of its 813g Quality Street tin in September.
The £12 tub features all the usual classic flavours and plays on Quality Street’s Halifax heritage – where it was first manufactured in 1936 and still is.
The 813g Quality Street tin is available now across a host of retailers nationwide including Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, B&M and Sainsbury’s.
Shoppers can pick up the new 813g tin for £12, £1.48 per 100g, which can obviously be reused after all the chocolates have been eaten.
However, if you’re not fussed about the nostalgic tin, you’ll pay less going for a different tub or packet.
Shoppers can pick up a plastic 600g tub from Tesco for £6 – £1 per 100g.
You can also pick up a 357g sharing bag of Quality Street from B&M for just £4 – £1.12 per 100g.
Nestle has also brought back a Quality Street fan-favourite for the second Christmas in a row.
The coffee creme flavour chocolate was last seen in Quality Street tubs over 20 years ago until the chocolatier reintroduced it last year.
Nestle has confirmed that the sweet treat will be available once again this Christmas.
However, fans won’t find the iconic flavour in the usual Quality Street tubs.
Instead, the coffee-flavour fondant wrapped in dark chocolate has joined the 11 other Quality Street sweets at pick-and-mix stations across selected John Lewis stores in the UK.
They are also available in a limited-edition cracker at Waitrose and John Lewis stores for £5.50.
How to bag a bargain
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
