CHINA – The Chinese branch of confectionery company Mars Wrigley has launched its first package made entirely from post-consumer recycled PET (rPET) for its local chocolate brand, Cui Xiang Mi (CXM).
The latest 216g canister lid of CXM is made from 100% rPET. It is designed to maintain the customer experience without compromising on appearance or tactile aspects.
Mars Wrigley China says the offering is the latest addition to its recycled contents package portfolio.
Compared to virgin PET, rPET contributes lower carbon emissions and less petroleum consumption. Mars estimates that the launch of the new CXM rPET canister lid could save 36 tonnes of virgin plastic in a rolling year.
In a statement, the company said: “We have launched our first package containing rPET in the Chinese market via a local chocolate brand, Cui Xiang Mi (CXM).
“It demonstrates a new chapter in recycled contents application for Mars Wrigley China’s package portfolio.
“We want to inspire consumers with more green and sustainable moments in addition to our tasty products.”
The firm also revealed plans to provide the new rPET lid for brands such as Snickers and M&M’s this year. This move is expected to save 300 tonnes of virgin plastics in a year.
The use of rPET for packaging is part of Mars Wrigley China’s wider efforts to make its packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable.
The introduction of rPET lids is in line with the Chinese efforts to reduce plastic waste and embrace a circular economy.
According to the 2022 Report on Chinese Consumers’ Recognition of rPET, issued by the China Food Information Center, 82% of respondents accepted the replacement of traditional plastics with rPET (recycled PET).
Last year, the company partnered with other industry leaders and national associations to launch Flexible Plastics Reborn, which is claimed as China’s first industry-wide flexible collection pilot project to build a full-chain and closed-loop recycling system in China for flexible packs.
The program aims to collect 50,000 tonnes of flexible packaging waste by the end of 2025. Mars Wrigley expects this program to uplift recyclability for flexible packs and provide more resources and energy savings.
Mars Wrigley China has also launched projects to reduce the packaging weight of its Dove and Extra brands, saving more than 1,000t of virgin plastics since 2019.
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