Mars Bars go for paper based packaging

Mars Bars, Snickers and Milky Way will debut locally-created sustainable packaging in 2023 with the launch of recyclable paper based wrappers.

Manufacturer Mars Wrigley Australia today committed to transition all chocolate bars made at its Ballarat, Victoria site to a new paper-based packaging that can be recycled via traditional kerbside recycling.

In a world first for the company, the shift to paper-based packaging will be seen on the company’s much loved chocolate bars from April 2023.

General Manager of Mars Wrigley Australia Andrew Leakey said: “The transition to paper-based packaging for our locally made chocolate bars marks a significant milestone in our sustainability journey.”

“Mars’ ongoing investment in local R&D has allowed us to be agile and create solutions that have a positive impact on our environment, meet our stringent quality and food safety standards but are also convenient for our consumers to recycle via kerbside recycling.

“This was crucially important for us as we wanted to ensure consumers had easy access to recycle our new paper-based packaging.”

Leakey said that as one of the largest snacks and treats manufacturers in Australia, the company had a responsibility to reduce its environmental footprint across its business, including packaging. al packaging targets.”

Once the Australian-made chocolate bar portfolio is fully transitioned to paper-based packaging, Mars Wrigley is set to eliminate more than 360 tonnes of plastic packaging from its value chain – enough to stretch from Melbourne to London and back.

According to the company this will contribute to its aim of creating a circular economy and achieving its 2025 national packaging targets.

The new sustainably sourced paper-based packaging is a result of extensive R&D trials and locally driven innovation from Mars Wrigley’s manufacturing site in Ballarat.

The packaging is widely recyclable through comingled recycling bins and paper/cardboard recycling bins across Australia, enabling consumers to easily recycle the packaging via their kerbside recycling bin.

The Ballarat-based R&D team leading this project is pioneering paper-based sustainable packaging solutions for the Mars Wrigley business globally, according to the company.

The plan for the technology, learnings and insights developed and deployed locally in Australia to be shared and implemented in other Mars Wrigley markets across the globe.

Mars Wrigley’s new paper-based packaging will be available on 47g and 64g MARS BARs, 44g and 64g SNICKERS and MILKY WAY 45g at all leading supermarkets and convenience stores nationally from April 2023.

Further reading:
MARS ANNOUNCES $25.5 MILLION IN UPGRADES TO BALLARAT FACTORY

Picture: Mars Wrigley