Confectionary maker Mars Incorporated is trialling recyclable paper packaging across its Mars chocolate bars.
The trial, which will see the new bars rolling out in 500 Tesco stores from today (30 May), comes as the company looks to offer more environmentally friendly packaging as its current plastic wrapping cannot be recycled.
According to reporting by The Guardian, Mars is “exploring different types of alternative packaging solutions” and will use feedback from this pilot to inform future packaging decisions.
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Many other brands and retailers have recently increased the sustainability credentials of their products, having switched to paper packaging or removed additional plastic.
PepsiCo is trialling new paper-based outer packaging across its Walkers Baked multipacks in a first for savoury snacks flexible packaging in the UK.
Last week, the food company also began trialling new ‘bagless’ multipacks across its rice cake brand, Snack A Jacks.
Packs on shelves in Tesco stores across the UK will now use 86% less plastic when compared with the previous design.
The Weetabix Food Company achieved a new sustainability milestone this year, revealing that 100% of the packaging used across its entire product portfolio is now designed to be fully recyclable.
Mars’ new trial comes as it announced a £400m sustainability bond in April which will invest in renewable energy, green building and energy efficiency as part of its climate strategy.
Looking to “achieve net zero emissions by 2050”, the company also aims to eliminate deforestation in its supply chain and to ensure that packaging material never becomes waste.
