The rollout across these territories represents a coordinated approach to sustainable packaging transformation. Each market presents unique challenges and opportunities for implementing recycled content solutions.
The company’s investment in recycling infrastructure demonstrates a long-term commitment to circular economy principles. This multi-market strategy enables Mondelēz to scale sustainable packaging solutions efficiently across diverse regulatory environments.
Advancing mechanical recycling processes
Throughout Europe, Mondelēz International is working to advance complementary recycling technologies. Mechanical recycling represents one key approach, involving the collection, cleaning and reprocessing of applyd plastics into new packaging materials.
The company is utilising this method to incorporate recycled PET (rPET) into trays for its boxed chocolate brands, including Milka, Marabou, Mirabelle and Suchard pralines, alongside biscuit products such as Milka Choco Wafer, Chips Ahoy and Oreo. Milka Pralines serve as a leading example within the portfolio, with trays incorporating approximately 80% rPET.
The company has also eliminated colour from these trays to further enhance recyclability. This modification is set to be implemented across additional brands, supporting the organisation’s broader sustainability objectives.
The removal of colour from packaging trays represents an important technical advancement in recyclability. Clear materials are simpler to sort and process through existing recycling infrastructure, potentially establishing new standards for chocolate packaging across the sector.
Implementing chemical recycling solutions
The second technology being deployed is chemical recycling, which breaks down plastic into molecular building blocks, enabling reapply in food-contact packaging. Mondelēz International has positioned itself as an early adopter of chemical recycling within Europe.
In the UK, Cadbury Dairy Milk introduced approximately 30% chemically recycled content in 2022, with Nordic countries following in 2024. A broader implementation of 80% recycled plastic for Cadbury tablet packaging was introduced in 2025.
Richard Akkermans, Packaging Sustainability Manager Europe at Mondelēz International, declares: “Innovation in both mechanical and chemical recycling technologies is essential to increasing the availability of food-contact recycled plastic. By working closely with suppliers and value chain partners, we are turning sustainability ambition into practical action.”
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