The business behind brands such as M&Ms, Snickers, and Twix, Mars says it achieved the reduction by redesigning the packaging it uses to protect Easter eggs as they are transported to shops.
Mars claims the move means that 97% of its Easter egg portfolio in the UK is now plastic free.
Adam Grant, general manager at Mars Wrigley UK, said: “In the world we want tomorrow, the planet is healthy – which is why we’re taking meaningful action to redesign our packaging portfolio to make it more sustainable.
“Today’s announcement that 97% of our Easter egg portfolio in the UK is now plastic free, after the removal of hundreds of tonnes of plastic since 2020, represents our commitment to creating a more sustainable tomorrow and our efforts won’t stop here.”
Mars says the move progresses parent company Mars Incorporated’s global goal to develop packaging that is 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
It also says the move is part of its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its full value chain by 2050.
Easter
The company says it has been on a “significant packaging reduction journey” to make Easter packaging more sustainable over the past few years.
In 2020, it announced its first move to remove the plastic trays from large eggs, accounting for a 270-tonne reduction in plastic.
It then removed 86 tonnes of plastic from its XL Eggs and Giant Eggs portfolio in 2021, “resulting in a total 504 tonnes of packaging and plastic reduced over the past three years.”
Councils
Mars’ announcement comes as councils encourage residents to recycle all the extra cardboard, plastic, and foil which usually builds up over the bank holiday.
Leicestershire county council and Leicester city council have joined forces to share some tips for recycling, noting yesterday that “almost all Easter egg packaging can be recycled.”
The councils said residents could “scrunch together” their foil, while any additional cardboard and plastic moulds can be recycled in their kerbside bin or bag.
They added: “Decorating biscuits with your family or making a cake with your surplus chocolate can be a great way to reduce your household food waste.”
Councillor Blake Pain, Leicestershire county council’s cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda, said: “You can help look after the planet by choosing Easter treats that aren’t heavily packaged and make a conscious choice to dispose of any unavoidable waste correctly.”
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