EVANSVILLE, Ind.–(BUSINESS WIRE) — Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE: BERY) is collaborating with snack and treats leader Mars, Incorporated to launch its popular pantry-sized treats in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) jars that have been optimised to be lighter weight and include 15 percent post-consumer resin (PCR). 

With the shared mission of creating more sustainable packaging solutions, Berry and Mars will launch the new jars for the M&M’S®, SKITTLES®, and STARBURST® brands later this month.

Berry Global and Mars, Incorporated announced the launch of recycled content packaging. Together the companies are driving positive societal impact through new M&M’S®, SKITTLES®, and STARBURST® packaging with 15 percent recycled plastic. The jars, which come in sizes 60, 81, and 87 ounces, offer the same look and feel and will eliminate approximately 300 tons of virgin plastic annually.

The easy-grip square jars are produced at Berry’s manufacturing facility, using a single-pellet, food-grade resin to ensure a clean, consistent substrate from mechanical recycling. With a history of results in light-weighting, Berry approached Mars with a new concept, including PCR. Berry brought its problem-solving and technical expertise to the table to help Mars progress toward their sustainability goals. In addition to the inclusion of PCR plastic, the jar is also widely recyclable.

“By leveraging our material science expertise and technical resources, we proactively created a solution for Mars without disruption to product performance. Through partnerships and creative thinking such as this, customers look to Berry for unique solutions to their sustainability challenges,” said Brian Hunt, an EVP and General Manager for Berry Global’s Consumer Packaging North America Division.

The jars, which come in three sizes: 60, 81, and 87 ounces, offer the same look and feel and will eliminate approximately 300 tons of virgin plastic per year.

For the 81- and 87-ounce jars, Berry also reduced the weight by 10 grams per jar, saving 374 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 savings are equivalent to:

• 42,084 gallons of gasoline consumed
• 45,494,350 number of smartphones charged
• 72.8 homes’ electricity use for one year

As part of Mars’ ongoing commitment to sustainability, the company is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to reimagine and redesign its packaging. 

“At Mars, we want to contribute to a circular economy where packaging material never becomes waste but is recycled, reused or composted,” said Justin Comes, Vice President of R&D, Mars Wrigley North America. “We have set an aggressive, science-based strategy to innovate our packaging, and this change to 15 percent PCR for these large-format jars is a significant step towards a more sustainable future.”

As a leader in the food packaging industry, Berry leveraged its unmatched global capabilities, sustainability leadership, and deep innovation expertise to help bring this more sustainable bottling solution to market.

Berry collaborated with Mars to develop recycled content packaging that runs seamlessly through its production and distribution system while delivering on consumer interests in a more sustainable packaging experience for M&M’S®, SKITTLES®, and STARBURST® brands.