Quality Street's paper tubs will not be returning to shelves this year.
Nestlé confirmed the decision, ending the UK-wide rollout of the eco-friendly cardboard packaging, which had been trialled as a more sustainable alternative to the traditional tubs.
The cardboard tubs, first tested in select Tesco stores in 2024, were introduced as a "first-of-its-kind" packaging innovation and were designed to be fully recyclable in household bins.
Nestle axes paper Quality Street tubs for Christmas 2026
A spokesperson for Nestlé said: "We won’t be trialling our Quality Street paper tub this year.
"We’re using our experience from 2024 and 2025 to make further developments.
"Watch this space as we continue to explore its role with the ambition to bring it back on a bigger scale in the future."
Around 200,000 of the cardboard tubs were distributed during the initial trial, with a wider return to stores in October last year as the company assessed consumer feedback.
The packaging featured a reclosable lid and distinctive purple design, but drew mixed reactions from shoppers, with some calling for a return to the traditional metal tins.
However, some shoppers had described the cardboard packaging as "gloomy" and "not appealing to the eye" during the festive season.
Quality Street adds new feature to tubs for 2026
Quality Street chocolate tubs will also feature a Monopoly-themed design this festive season as part of a new partnership between the two brands.
Each promotional Quality Street tub will include a Chance Card, giving shoppers the opportunity to win:
- A limited-edition Monopoly: Quality Street Edition gameboard (5,000 available)
- Top cash prize of £20,580
- Other cash prizes ranging from £5 to £500
Marketing Director for Nestlé Confectionery UK & I, Beth Lucas, said: "Quality Street has been bringing people together at Christmas for generations, and we're always looking for new ways to add a little extra magic to those special moments.
"Partnering with Monopoly, another iconic part of family celebrations, felt like a natural fit.
"We love that the bespoke gameboard has even been designed with space in the centre for a tub of Quality Street, making it the perfect companion for festive games nights this Christmas."
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Created especially for the collaboration, the limited-edition Monopoly gameboards feature an octagonal design, inspired by the shape of Quality Street tubs.
Each gameboard will feature sweet-themed locations such as Caramel Swirl Way and Green Triangle Gardens.
Traditional train stations have been swapped for places in Britain connected to Quality Street, including Halifax, where it's still manufactured today.
What is your favourite Christmas chocolate tub? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments.
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