Mars to replace shrink-wrap with cardboard on pet food multi-packs

By David Shrimpton in Non-food 6th September 2021

Mars Petcare is to replace shrink film with cardboard across all mixed multi-pack cans of Pedigree, Whiskas, Chappie and Kitekat in the UK.

The move will see 180 tonnes of plastic, or 15 million pieces of plastic, removed from the environment every year, the company says.

Kim Smet, interim general manager at Mars Petcare, said: “The switch from shrink-wrap to cardboard is an important step in helping us achieve our goal of 100% recyclable packaging by 2025.”

In July, Mars Petcare announced a recycling programme with Pets at Home that saw in-store recycling points for pet food packaging introduced across 40 UK stores.

Further changes in 2021 saw Pedigree Schmackos packaging reduced by 12%, while Dreamies 60g packs were made thinner.

Mars Petcare also joined with Asda to trial in-store refill zones with products from Whiskas and Pedigree.

The new packaging will be widely available from 11 September.