Environment

Mondelēz highlighted in UK Plastics pact report for 100% recyclable packaging drive

23-Dec-2020 - Last updated on 23-Dec-2020 at 10:34 GMT

Mondelēz’s sustainable packaging strategy in the UK – ‘Pack Light and Pack Right’ - helps consumers to recycle. Pic: Mondelēz International

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Mondelēz International has said its sustainable packaging progress has been highlighted in the UK Plastics Pact Report as the company makes progress towards its long-term vision of zero net waste packaging.

The makers of Cadbury Dairy Milk, BelVita, Maynard’s Bassetts and OREO said it is proud to be highlighted in the report and the company joined the initiative at the start of the year, in partnership with the entire value chain alongside business, retailers, recyclers and UK government to tackle the shared problem of plastic waste.

Mondelēz’s sustainable packaging strategy in the UK – ‘Pack Light and Pack Right’ - is focused on reducing the amount of packaging it uses, minimising the use of non-recyclable plastics, finding more ways to help recycle what’s left and communicating clearly to make it as easy as possible for consumers to recycle.

Louise Stigant, UK Managing Director, Mondelez International, said: “We are proud to play our part as a member of the UK Plastics Pact, and are pleased with the positive progress we're making, collectively reducing our plastic packaging by 40% and improving the recyclability of our products.

"However we know there still much more to be done and a top priority for us is tackling flexible film. These materials help keep food safe and decrease waste, but we need to significantly improve their recyclability rates.

"We're working with the UK Plastics Pact, retailers and Government to help deliver recycling programmes and develop the required infrastructure so that these materials can not only be designed to be recycled but actually get recycled.”

Mondelēz’s key activations in support of Plastic Pact targets:

• In September, reduced the amount of packaging used in iconic Cadbury Dairy Milk large share bags by 15%, whilst maintaining the same number of treats inside. This move also meant fewer trucks needed to transport the same amount of product, resulting in a 14% reduction in transportation needed.

• Since 2019 have been using recycled material in Dairylea Lunchables which contain 75% recycled PET plastic and Snackers range is now 60% recycled PET. In February this year announced plans for Philadelphia to become the first major cream cheese brand to use recycled plastic in the UK and Europe from 2022.

• In Easter 2020 Cadbury launched its ‘Be A Good Egg’ recycling labelling campaign in partnership with OPRL, the UK’s most recognised recycling label, across its entire Cadbury shell egg range. The brand then followed this up at Christmas by adding ‘Unwrap A Good Habit’ labelling to its seasonal products.

Mondelēz says it has already eliminated over 64,000 tonnes of packaging globally since 2013, made 100% of its paper-based packaging sustainably sourced and is on track to reach its ambitious target to make all its packaging designed to be recyclable by 2025.