Mars & Berry Global Drive Sustainable Packaging Innovation

Mars, the company behind M&M’s, Skittles and Starburst, has partnered with Berry Global to convert its widely recyclable pantry jars to 100% recycled plastic.

As part of its commitment to minimising environmental impact, this initiative could significantly reduce the use of virgin plastic across Mars’ packaging range.

It also reflects a wider shift within the industry towards adopting circular economy practices.

Progress in sustainable packaging

Mars and Berry Global began integrating recycled materials into their packaging in 2022, adding 15% recycled plastic to pantry jars.

This new 100% recycled version removes over 1,300 tonnes of virgin plastic annually, which is the equivalent weight of 238 African elephants.

This move supports Mars’ wider efforts to cut unnecessary plastic, redesign packaging and improve recycling infrastructure.

The redesigned jars, available in 60-ounce, 81-ounce and 87-ounce sizes, are made from post-consumer resin sourced from discarded plastic collected through curbside programmes.

This process ensures plastic waste is repurposed rather than ending up in landfills.

The jars, already made from recycled plastic, can be recycled again after use.

Collaboration driving change at Mars

Mars and Berry Global have partnered since 2017, working on sustainable packaging solutions that maintain product quality and appearance.

The shift to 100% recycled plastic builds on this collaboration, using Berry Global’s expertise in material science.

"As companies across the globe commit to transitioning to a circular economy, the ability to deliver products made with recycled materials at scale is crucial," says Peter Goshorn, Vice President of Food, Beverage & Spirits at Berry Global.

"That’s why we’re collaborating with leading brands, like Mars, to significantly increase the use of recycled content to drive responsible business growth without compromising performance or aesthetics."

Mars’ sustainability strategy focuses on rethinking packaging design to make it reusable, recyclable or compostable.

The company has pledged to redesign 12,000 packaging components as part of this effort.

Allison Lin, Global Vice President of Packaging Sustainability at Mars, explains that the shift to recycled content is only one element of a wider strategy.

"In the world we want tomorrow, no packaging becomes waste, but is instead reused, recycled or composted," Allison says.

"That’s why we continue to rethink our approach to packaging and collaborate with companies like Berry.

“Reducing our virgin plastic usage by investing in recycled content is an important step in our strategy, alongside initiatives to remove unnecessary packaging, explore reuse models and redesign our packaging for circularity."

Scaling recycled plastic solutions

Recycling is a complex process.

However, the use of post-consumer resin in large-scale production demonstrates that recycled materials can be effectively integrated into intricate supply chains like Mars’.

By proving that mechanically recycled plastic can meet food-grade standards, Mars and Berry Global are setting an example for other companies aiming to reduce their dependence on virgin plastic.

Consumer involvement is also crucial to the success of these initiatives.

The recyclability of these jars ensures that once they are used, they can be repurposed into new products, supporting the closed-loop system that sustainability advocates are promoting.

Mars’ move to switch its packaging to entirely recycled plastic mirrors a wider trend in the consumer goods sector.

Large brands are under growing pressure to tackle plastic waste, with stricter regulations and rising consumer expectations leading to more ambitious sustainability goals.

“With average global temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time in 2024, it is imperative that we continue to perform on our promises and in doing so prove that sustainability is good for business,” says Alastair Child, CSO of Mars.

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