Mars Wrigley’s removal of PE liner from Maltesers targets cut of 82 tonnes of plastic waste
BELGRADE, SERBIA - JULY 4, 2021: Logo of Maltesers on a bag of their candies for sales. Maltesers is a british confectionery made of malted milk coated in milk chocolate.
A recent introduced initiative from Mars Wrigley UK involving the removal of the black PE liner from Maltesers boxes is anticipated to deliver the a total of 82 tonnes of plastic being eliminated every single year, reports Neill Barston.
According to the company, the move, which was first trailed at the end of this summer, means that the brand’s classic box design is now fully recyclable and, without using any additional paper pulp, around 930 tonnes of cardboard per year can now be fully recycled in Britain.
As the business admitted, the plastic film that covers the box, which is essential to protect the quality of the product within, isn’t currently widely recyclable. The renowned Maltesers box, as we know it today, was launched nearly 90-years ago in 1930 and today, Britons eat over 180 million Maltesers treats every year. Most of which are made at Mars Wrigley’s HQ in Slough.
Adam Grant, General Manager Mars Wrigley UK said: “At Mars, we take our responsibility for sustainable packaging seriously, and today’s announcement that our iconic Maltesers box is now fully recyclable is another important step in our journey toward packaging that is 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable.”
The new box styles are now in circulation and follows Mars Wrigley UK’s announcement last year that it was accelerating its sustainable packaging programme.
The business is exploring a range of packaging initiatives and from April 2021, selected ‘Standard’ and ‘More to Share’ sharing pouches of some of Mars Wrigley UK’s favourites, including M&M’s, Galaxy Counters, Galaxy Minstrels, Revels, Maltesers Buttons, Skittles and Starburst will be narrower, reducing the plastic used by 51 tonnes or around 647,000 square metres a year – the equivalent area of over 90 football pitches.