Mars UK - Case study: Reducing packaging
As a signatory to the Courtauld Commitment, Mars
took part in projects with WRAP to trial methods for
lightweighting glass containers and to redesign the tins
used for its wrapped chocolates.
New moulds were created for its 500g Uncle Ben's jars,
which altered the design and reduced the height. This
enabled a 6% weight reduction and produced an overall
saving of 450 tonnes of glass per year.
To improve the design of its chocolate tin, Mars explored a
switch to a plastic tub. By pursuing this to conclusion, Mars
reduced the weight by 46% – a saving of 720 tonnes of
materials per year. Furthermore, the new tub is designed for
reuse rather than disposal. This is clearly labelled.
In addition, through working with WRAP, Mars has also
been able to improve its transport packaging on the Celebrations tub.
By
replacing corrugated cartonboard cases with plastic shrink wrap, an 87% weight
reduction
has been achieved and 135 tonnes less packaging is now
used each year.
Environmental improvements were also at the heart of
Mars' 2009 Easter range design. On its medium-sized
eggs, the company attained a 42% reduction in cardboard
weight and the amount of plastic used was reduced by
35%. All remaining Easter egg packaging (except Galaxy
Premium Egg) was made from 100% recycled cardboard
and carried advice to consumers on how and where to
recycle the materials.
Finally, a steel can weight reduction for all easy-open cans
across pet-food brands was implemented during 2008.
This initiative alone has saved more than 1,000 tonnes of
materials per year.
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