In a world-first for the company, Mondelēz International has today launched a trial of new packaging made from 100 percent recyclable sustainably sourced paper for a limited run of its Cadbury Energy chocolate blocks.
The trial will test the durability and effectiveness of the paper packaging in transport plus gather feedback from consumers who can receive their free sample at Westfield Newmarket, Auckland on Saturday 21 December.
It is the first time the company has used a paper material that doesn’t include laminates, foils or plastics for fully-sealed flow-wrap packaging. Many existing paper-based food wraps have a thin plastic film to protect the product, however the paper used in the trial acts as the barrier to protect food and ensure freshness.
“We are committed to making 100 percent of our packaging recyclable by 2025. While Cadbury is enjoyed by millions of people around the world, we’re excited to be able to do this innovative trial here in New Zealand," said Cara Liebrock, Managing Director, Mondelēz International New Zealand.
“Kiwis are passionate about sustainability, so we look forward to giving our fans a chance to experience the packaging for themselves and hear what they think of the new material.
“Given this is a world-first for us and the material is at the leading edge of packaging innovation, we’re committed to finding innovative solutions to the sustainability challenges facing the planet and this trial is a great example of this,” said Cara.
“With waste being just one part of the lifecycle of a product, we need to ensure the total environmental impact of a packaging material is considered. There’s no point adopting an alternative packaging material that minimises waste, but has a significantly larger carbon footprint.”
Over 90 percent of the packaging material used for Mondelēz products in New Zealand is recyclable through household recycling collections or the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme.
Alternative packaging materials are just one part of the solution. Mondelēz International is working on a range of sustainability initiatives designed to minimise its impact on the planet, including support for companies developing plastic recycling technology and reducing the amount of packaging it uses.
More information on the Cadbury paper packaging trial can be found at https://www.cadbury.co.nz/our-chocolate/sustainability-initiatives/
