March 2025
Published: 04 Mar 2025
Author: Precedence Research
Berry Global Group and Mars have partnered to launch pantry jars exclusively developed from 100% recycled plastics that will serve M&M's, SKITTLES, and STARBURST brands. This new concept for packaging jars excludes lids and builds on their mutual venture, initiated last year 2022 for 15% recycled plastic incorporation in its material. These jars are easy to recycle and are sold in sizes 60-, 81-, and 87 ounces.
Using mechanochemically recycled content, Berry and Mars attempt to minimize over 1,300 metric tons of plastic from virgin origin every year, which is equivalent in weight to that of 238 African elephants. These jars are all designed from post-consumer resin or PCR. This is sustainable packaging material from recycled plastics through the collection of consumers. Empty jars can be recycled further with the plastic going through the production of new products.
Berry Global has manufactured easy-to-hold square jars in a certified food-grade facility from mechanically recycled resin sourced from curbside collection streams. The jars retain strength and beauty while minimizing environmental impact. Berry Global partners with major brands such as Mars to drive the increased use of recycled content to empower responsible growth without loss of performance or beauty. The circular economy is a vital initiative of this company for businesses worldwide.
Mars is committed to sustainable packaging innovations, which reengineer their portfolio with reduced plastic use and improve recyclability. For the Sustainable Packaging Plan, pack all of its development within this Plan as reusable, recyclable, or compostable. The partnership with Berry has been operational since 2017 seeking new materials and production processes for environmental returns. According to Allison Lin, Global Vice President of Packaging Sustainability at Mars, one urgent need is to "minimize the virgin plastic and invest in recycled content, reduce the quantity of unnecessary packaging, study the reuse models, and redesign packaging to meet the requirements of circularity." The Mars Associates would take on consulting work with Berry to redesign 12,000 packaging components in a new kind of way to sustainability in packaging.
The transition to 100% recycled plastic packaging by Mars will bring a revolutionary change to North American packaging and recycling sectors. It will increase the demand for high-quality post-consumer resin, which will, in turn, create recycling infrastructures and job opportunities. By using fully recycled packaging, Mars takes a step ahead of regulatory changes, showing leadership in corporate environmental responsibility. Sustainable purchasing decisions are primary evidence, among other things, of what Mars' program corroborates about itself, most probably increasing brand loyalty and market share. The example of leadership set by big companies like Mars and Berry Global in sustainable packaging creates pressure that could trigger competitors to collaborate with these giants, therefore pushing other companies in food and beverage to invest in recycled materials or adopt similar sustainability schemes.
This partnership between Berry Global and Mars marks a turning point in the ushering in of a circular economy in the world whereby eliminating about 1,300 metric tons of virgin plastic every year, combined with an addition of post-consumer resin, sets a benchmark for responsible business practices. With the legislation changing in North America, and consumers demanding more sustainable products, this agreement thus continues to broaden environmental goals, as well as help strengthen recycling infrastructure in the region. More brands opt for recycled content and thus the industry inches towards a future defined by less and less waste of packaging and a high reuse of resources.
March 2025
March 2025
March 2025
March 2025