Chocolate maker Nestlé is to roll-out recyclable paper for the first time.

Its brand of 'Yes' snack bars are to use a recyclable wrapper in a high-speed 'flow wrap cold seal' packaging line.

The company says this represents "a world first for a process" that was previously only suitable for plastic films and laminates.

Its bars will switch over to the new recyclable wrapper from this month.

Stefano Agostini, CEO for Nestlé in Ireland and the UK, says: "'Yes' represents exactly what more and more people are demanding from manufacturers like Nestlé now and for the future.

"Last year we introduced 'Yes' as an entirely new brand, using wholesome ingredients and offering a healthier snacking option of tasty fruit and nut bars.

"Now we've turned our attention to the wrapper so that the packaging is sustainable and easy to recycle.

"It's an important step as we work to make all of our packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025."

Nestlé's 'Yes!' bars | Image: Nestlé

The bar wrappers will now carry the message 'Carefully wrapped in paper' to reflect the change.

The new packaging is made of a coated paper that is widely recyclable with other paper.

The paper itself comes from sustainable sources, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.

Jas Scott de Martinville, global confectionery R&D lead for Nestlé, adds: "This launch is the result of a lot of hard work at speed with our R&D teams delivering a recyclable paper solution for our 'Yes' bars in less than 10 months.

"It is an incredible achievement and one that we are all very proud of."

The firm is also introducing three new flavours to coincide with introduction of the new paper wrapper.

The bar is available in several countries including Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic and Belgium.