Mondelēz International acknowledged in The UK Plastics Pact report as company makes progress towards achieving net zero waste packaging

Mondelēz International acknowledged in the UK Plastics Pact report as company makes progress towards achieving net zero waste packaging

As part of their third annual report, Mondelēz International is proud to play its part as members of The UK Plastics Pact. A unique collaboration of leading retailers and manufacturers across the entire plastics value chain, committed to progressing the UK Plastics Pact’s four ambitious environmental targets.

The report highlights some of the progress Mondelēz International has made on its UK packaging journey towards achieving its vision of net zero waste packaging globally.

Under Target one – eliminating problem plastics, cheese brands Dairylea and Philadelphia have moved to 100% recyclable packaging in the UK and Ireland. Removing approximately 487 tons of Polystyrene in Philadelphia Mini Tubs and Handi Snacks and reducing virgin plastic needed by 276 tons per annum for Dairylea Lunchables.

The company also removed over 6.4million plastic windows from their Cadbury chocolate shell eggs this Easter. This move is part of the company’s ‘Pack Light and Pack Right’ strategy and its ongoing efforts to remove, reduce, replace and ensure recyclability across its portfolio.

Under Target two – 100% of packaging to be reusable or recyclable, the report highlights the company’s involvement in the Flexible Plastic Fund alongside other retailers and FMCG leaders. An initiative of manufacturers and retailers committed to improving flexible packaging recycling in the UK and boosting the nation’s recycling infrastructure. The fund is designed to drive progress towards household collection of flexible plastic for recycling and plays a vital role in incentivising the recycling of plastic bags and wrapping through a guaranteed minimum price for packaging recovery notes. Longer term – the initiative is working with UK Government to ensure that flexible film is included in kerbside recycling from 2023, when a new harmonised waste collection service across the UK is expected.

To further improve UK recycling rates the company are also partnered with OPRL - the most recognised labelling system in the UK – making significant progress towards providing on pack recycling information to consumers by 2025.

Under target three the company’s efforts were also emphasised – to increase use of recycled content up to 30%.

The report highlights the upcoming packaging innovation for Cadbury Dairy Milk sharing bars to contain 30% recycled plastic – rolling out in 2022. Previously the company also announced that, as of the end of 2022, it’s cheese brand Philadelphia, will become the first major cheese brand to pioneer the use of chemical recycling. Another important step in the company’s goal to reducing its impact on the environment and its commitment to using 5% recycled content across all plastic packaging by 2025.

These UK sustainable packaging initiatives also contribute to Mondelez International’s global target of eliminating virgin plastic materials in the company’s overall plastic packaging portfolio by 5% by 2025, assuming constant portfolio mix.

Significant progress has been made against the company’s global commitments and the UK Plastics Pact targets. To continue this momentum, Mondelēz International are investing £21 million across the globe in technology, resources and recycling infrastructure to help create a more sustainable future for its plastic

Kelly Farrell, Sustainability Communications manager, at Mondelēz International said:
“We’re proud to be members of the UK Plastics Pact and that they have acknowledged our efforts, but we recognize there is still more to do. We’re committed to working towards finding innovative solutions and working in partnership with WRAP and Pact members to tackle the complex challenges of plastic waste and reduce the demand on natural resources.”