Two Quality Street chocolates won’t have new paper wrappers after big change

Though Christmas might look a little different this year with Quality Street's wrapping overhaul, two of its chocolates will be staying exactly the same.

This is the second time today I've had to apologise for talking about the festive season so early, but I'm afraid that's just the way things go sometimes.

Plus, Quality Street started it by announcing earlier this week that it's made some major changes to its design.

I guess the company has to let people know this early before everyone starts stockpiling their big old tins.

For decades, Brits have taken part in the age-old tradition of collecting those multi-coloured plastic wrappers from its chocolate selection and then watching the telly through them like they're makeshift 3D glasses.

But this year will look a little different, as the brand's producer Nestlé has pledged a commitment to make 100 percent of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

So as much fun as those dazzling wrappers are a fan favourite at Christmas time, they're to be scrapped this year in favour of a more environmentally friendly solution.

But there are two chocolates that will remain in their original wrapping – the orange crunch and green triangle chocolates.

If you're wondering why, it's because they have always been packaged in just the foil rather than foil covered in plastic wrappers, so there's no need for a redesign.

Speaking to The Sun, a Nestlé spokesperson said: "Traditionally, the orange crunch and green triangle have not been twist-wrapped in cellulose, only packaged in a simple layer of foil.

"As this material is recyclable, it did not need to be changed."

As for the ten remaining sweet treats – or 'jewels', as they known by the makers – they'll be packaged in a wax-based paper that can also be recycled.

Cheryl Allen is the head of sustainability at Nestlé confectionery, and says it wasn't an easy decision to make, but the firm thinks customers will like what it's done.

She said: "Quality Street is a brand that people feel very strongly about.

"We know that opening the lid and seeing 'the jewels', as we call them, is really important.

"We think we’ve done a really good job with the redesign, and feel confident that people will respond positively."

Some people aren't too happy with the change, including chocolate historian Alex Hutchinson who said: "It’s a huge deal. And it’s a bit sad.

"Because when Harold Mackintosh originally launched Quality Street he specifically designed it to be an explosion of colour, different flavours, different shapes. The wrapping was absolutely key."

Others, however, are in favour of the move as it's another step towards a sustainable future.

Now that the news is out there, no doubt we'll be seeing people flogging old tins of Quality Street on eBay for £70,000 in the coming weeks – you heard it here first.