Mars And Berry Global Launch 100% Recycled Packaging

Mars, together with Berry Global, is making a major commitment to sustainability with the launch of 100% recycled plastic packaging for M&M'S®, SKITTLES®, and STARBURST® pantry jars. The move, excluding lids, represents a major milestone in the company's journey toward minimizing plastic waste and helping achieve a circular economy. The change follows up on their prior 2022 packaging redesign that used 15% recycled material. By keeping more than 1,300 metric tons of virgin plastic from being used every year, this shift supports Mars' overall efforts toward sustainable packaging.

The redesigned 60-, 81-, and 87-ounce pantry jars are heavily recyclable so that consumers can contribute to sustainability actively. Through the use of post-consumer resin (PCR) from curbside collection streams, the program keeps plastic waste out of landfills and lowers carbon emissions from virgin plastic production. In this strategic transition, Mars and Berry Global will increase the utilization of recycled content, reinforcing their position in the global movement toward sustainable packaging solutions.

Peter Goshorn, Berry Global's Vice President, underscored the significance of achieving mass adoption of recycle content. "As businesses pledge to move towards a circular economy, the capability to make products with recycled material at scale is imperative," he noted. His remarks reflect the increased need for sustainable packaging solutions minimizing new plastic production dependence and helping facilitate waste reduction targets.

Mars has been working with Berry Global since 2017 to create innovative solutions for packaging sustainability. The Sustainable Packaging Plan of the company is aimed at minimizing the use of plastic and making all packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable. This new transition is part of Mars' continuous efforts to redesign 12,000 packaging parts and invest in improved recycling infrastructure to make a future where packaging waste is no longer an environmental issue.

Allison Lin, Mars' Global Vice President of Packaging Sustainability, highlighted the wider significance of this move. "Cutting our use of virgin plastic by investing in recycled content is a significant step, in addition to efforts to eliminate unnecessary packaging, investigate reuse models, and redesign for circularity," she said. Her comments highlight Mars' holistic strategy to address packaging waste through various means, such as material reduction, innovative reuse models, and improved recyclability.

The use of entirely recycled plastic jars is more than a packaging evolution—it's an evolution toward a more sustainable strategy for material utilization. By taking advantage of PCR content, Mars is lowering its environmental impact as well as making a benchmark example for the industry to follow with sustainable measures. The effort falls into the greater circular economy revolution, where materials are constantly redirected to reduce waste and harm to the environment.

In addition to the direct effect on plastic waste reduction, the program also demonstrates Mars' intent to push systemic change throughout the packaging sector. By driving up demand for recycled material, the business is contributing to making the recycling market more robust and stimulating additional investment in waste recovery infrastructure. The more companies that make similar moves, the closer the industry gets as a whole to a future where packaging is designed with sustainability first.

The move is in the direction of Mars' long-term sustainability ambitions and is an integral part of developing its packaging portfolio. The organization continues to examine further opportunities for improving packaging effectiveness, decreasing usage of single-use plastics, and creating circular offerings that support its vision for sustainability. Through strategic collaborations and a focus on ongoing innovation, Mars is becoming a leader in sustainable packaging, proving that mass corporations can be a critical driver in solving the plastic waste problems plaguing the world.