Mars bars trialling paper wrappers in effort to cut plastic waste

Mars says it's part of its Sustainable in a Generation Plan - which aims to reduce plastics use by a third in the short term.

Monday 29 May 2023 14:18, UK

Undated handout photo issued by Freuds of Mars bars which have been given a new look as the chocolate bar ditches its traditional plastic wrapper for more environmentally friendly paper packaging. Mars Incorporated confirmed it has made the switch to recyclable paper packaging for a limited time and the exclusive bars will be available in Tesco stores during the pilot test to explore different packaging options. The move comes after development work and investments, with the trial achieving a re
Why you can trust Sky News

Mars bars are getting a new look as they trial a more environmentally-friendly paper wrapper instead of a plastic one.

The maker of the chocolate said the new wrapper, available in Tesco stores, was part of its exploration of a more "sustainable future".

Mars said it aimed to make all its packaging "recyclable, reusable or compostable".

Richard Sutherland-Moore, packaging expert at Mars Wrigley UK, said the firm was exploring different wrapping ideas for all its confectionery.

For the Mars bar, he said the challenge was providing adequate protection "whilst guaranteeing the food safety, quality and integrity of the product to prevent food waste".

The company said it was investing hundreds of millions of pounds into its goal of reducing plastic use by a third.

Adam Grant, general manager at Mars Wrigley UK, said the trial of the Mars wrapper was "a big step to see how paper-based packaging works in everyday life".

More from UK

"From the test, we will derive insights for our sustainable packaging strategy," he said.

Read more:
The 'black gold' that could help fight climate change
Government accused of 'sabotage' over bottle return scheme

Mars recently achieved carbon neutrality for the first time, which it said it came through carbon credits and emission reductions.

Tesco said it was "delighted" to partner with Mars on the new wrapper.

The supermarket's packaging development manager, Andrew Flood, said the trial aligned with its own strategy of "removing plastic and packaging in our business where we can, reducing it where we can't, reusing more and recycling what's left".