Cadbury Maker Cuts 1,000 Tons of Virgin Plastic in Europe
Mondelēz International just hit a major sustainability milestone, replacing traditional plastic packaging with 80% recycled materials across its beloved chocolate and cookie brands. The change affects millions of Milka and Oreo packages across six European countries.
The company behind Cadbury, Oreo, and Milka chocolates just proved that big food companies can make massive environmental changes without sacrificing the treats we love.
Mondelēz International announced it reached its goal of using 5% recycled content in all plastic packaging across Europe, a target set back in 2020. Even better, the company eliminated 1,000 tons of virgin plastic in 2025 alone by switching those rigid plastic trays to alternatives made with 80% recycled materials.
The packaging transformation rolled out across the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland. When you grab your favorite Oreo cookies or Milka chocolate bar in these countries now, chances are the tray protecting them came from recycled materials instead of brand-new plastic.
Catherine Burgeat, Mondelēz's senior director of sustainability for Europe, explained the shift simply: "Replacing PET plastic trays with rPET is a major step towards reducing our virgin plastic usage and contributing to a more circular packaging economy."
The company invested in two types of recycling technology to make this happen. Mechanical recycling processed about 1,000 tons of recycled PET for their 2025 packaging needs. Chemical recycling helped create food-safe packaging that meets strict safety standards for products that touch what we eat.
The Ripple Effect
This isn't just about one company cleaning up its act. Mondelēz works with suppliers and manufacturers across Europe, meaning their push for recycled materials creates demand that helps build a stronger recycling infrastructure for everyone.
The company is testing even more innovative approaches in Germany, including digital watermarking technology that helps recycling facilities sort plastics more accurately. Better sorting means more materials actually get recycled instead of ending up in landfills.
Richard Akkermans, packaging sustainability manager for Mondelēz Europe, emphasized the collaborative nature of the achievement: "By working closely with suppliers and value-chain partners, we are turning sustainability ambition into practical action."
The best part? Most consumers probably won't notice any difference in their favorite treats, but the planet certainly will as those 1,000 tons of avoided virgin plastic add up year after year.
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Based on reporting by Google News - Plastic Reduction
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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