en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 21st, Mondelēz International's sustainability efforts in Europe are making progress, as the company announced it has achieved its global target of using 5% recycled materials in its product packaging. By switching to more recycled plastics, Mondelēz is reducing the use of approximately 1,000 tons of virgin plastic annually in Europe, covering major markets such as the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Mondelēz International has completed the transition from rigid plastic trays to trays containing approximately 80% recycled plastic across several flagship brands in Europe. This initiative reflects the company's commitment to expanding the use of recyclable materials and piloting innovative circular solutions. Catherine Burgeat, Senior Director of Sustainability for Europe at Mondelēz International, said: "We are proud of these milestones as we accelerate our sustainable packaging journey in Europe. Replacing PET plastic trays with rPET is an important step in reducing our use of virgin plastic and promoting a more circular packaging economy."

In Europe, Mondelēz International is advancing complementary recycling technologies, including mechanical and chemical recycling. Mechanical recycling involves collecting, cleaning, and reprocessing waste plastic into new packaging materials. The company has incorporated recycled PET (rPET) into trays for boxed chocolate brands such as Milka, Marabou, Mirabelle, and Suchard pralines, as well as for biscuit products like Milka chocolate wafers, Chips Ahoy!, and Oreo. For example, Milka praline trays contain about 80% rPET and have had color removed to improve recyclability.

Chemical recycling technology breaks down plastics into molecular building blocks, allowing them to be reused in food-contact packaging. Mondelēz International is an early adopter of chemical recycling in Europe. In the UK, Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate introduced approximately 30% chemically recycled material in 2022, followed by a rollout to Nordic countries in 2024. In 2025, Cadbury tablet packaging more broadly adopted 80% recycled plastic. Richard Akkermans, European Packaging Sustainability Manager at Mondelēz International, said: "Innovation in mechanical and chemical recycling technologies is crucial to increasing the availability of recycled plastics for food contact. Through close collaboration with suppliers and value chain partners, we are turning sustainability ambitions into tangible actions."

Mondelēz International is also investing in circularity pilot projects in Germany, Belgium, Nordic countries, and the UK. One pilot program in Germany, in partnership with Philadelphia cream cheese tubs, uses digital watermarks through the HolyGrail 2030 initiative to improve sorting accuracy, aiming to unlock more sources of food-grade recycled plastic. These developments support Europe's transition to a more circular packaging system, aligning with evolving recyclability and recycled material content expectations. By prioritizing the use of recycled materials and advancing innovation, Mondelēz International aims to significantly reduce virgin plastic use and create a more sustainable future for the snacking industry.