Mars Wrigley UK has announced the removal of the black PE liner from Maltesers boxes, which will see 82 tonnes of plastic eliminated every single year: equating to 13 Tyrannosaurus Rexes.
The removal of PE from all Maltesers boxes in the UK means that the box itself is now fully recyclable and, without using any additional paper pulp, around 930 tonnes of carboard per year can now be fully recycled in Britain. 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 Maltesers boxes will be widely available in store from this week. The move 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. Further to this, Mars Wrigley UK also announced a trial with Tesco last month to pilot an innovative new material made from cocoa bean shells for promotional displays – a global first for the confectionery category.
Media contact
Roshini Bains,
Editor, International Confectionery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
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