Berry Global and Mars, Inc. have introduced candy packaging with 15% PCR. | Courtesy of Berry Global
Packaging producer Berry Global and brand owner Mars, Inc. are now putting PCR into plastic containers used for M&M’s and other confection brands.
The companies on Sept. 27 announced they’ll launch 15% RPET jars for M&M’S, SKITTLES and STARBURST later this month. The overhaul also includes lightweighting the package.
The bars are produced from a single-pellet, food-grade RPET derived from mechanical recycling technologies, according to the press release. Available in three sizes, the jars will eliminate about 300 tons of virgin plastic per year.
“At Mars, we want to contribute to a circular economy where packaging material never becomes waste, but is recycled, reused or composted,” Justin Comes, vice president of R&D at Mars Wrigley North America, stated in the release. “We have set an aggressive, science-based strategy to innovate our packaging and this change to 15% PCR for these large-format jars is a significant step towards a more sustainable future.”
A signatory to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Global Commitment to reduce plastic packaging waste and increase recycling, Mars, Incorporated is aiming for 30% post-consumer content by 2025, but it used negligible amounts of recycled resin last year. Much of what the company produces is flexible packaging, including multilayer flexible packaging.
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