Mars Wrigley is partnering with Coles to trial new sustainable off-location displays made from ocean-bound plastic. The initiative will see a reduction of 74 tonnes of cardboard from Coles’ value chain and a potential eight tonnes of plastic stopped from entering the marine environment.
With both Mars Wrigley and Coles committed to driving a more sustainable future, the collaboration is a natural one that supports the circular economy and reduces virgin plastic and cardboard from both companies’ operations.
With the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic entering the ocean every minute, Mars Wrigley is working to reduce ocean-bound plastic and recycle it to create new, reusable products such as Mars Wrigley’s permanent displays.
The new recycled ocean-bound plastic displays form part of Mars Wrigley’s broader point-of-sale overhaul with Coles, which also includes stackable cardboard shippers that reduces cardboard and plastic from the company’s value chain and creates greater operational efficiencies.
The new product displays are being trialed in 51 Coles stores around the country with the ambition to roll out to all Coles stores from 2024.
Mars Wrigley Australia’s General Manager Andrew Leakey says the company knows it has a responsibility to create a more sustainable future and collaboration with companies like Coles is critical to the success of the company’s sustainability agenda.
“With our brands in nine out of 10 Australian households around the country, we know we have an important role to play in reducing our environmental footprint and creating innovative sustainable solutions locally.
“Personally, I’m immensely proud of the work we have done alongside Coles to transition our off-location product displays to permanent recycled content made from ocean plastic. Whilst this is an initial trial, our ambition is to roll this out across the Coles network next year. which will reduce more than 74 tonnes cardboard from our value chain and support the removal of plastic from our oceans,” Mr Leakey said.
“For us, collaboration is the key to creating a more sustainable future. Working with our customers like Coles, and partners suppliers like Plastic Bank and 5Pgroup to unlock sustainable innovations that support the circular economy and business needs is the way forward.”
Working alongside Plastic Bank and 5P to collect and stop plastic from entering the ocean, melt it down and mold it into the permanent displays will enable Mars Wrigley to remove more than 74 tonnes of cardboard and plastic from its value chain once rolled out nationally across Coles stores.
Coles Business Category Manager of Impulse Via Lavdas says, “We’re pleased to work with our suppliers like Mars Wrigley to support sustainability initiatives that enhance our in-store customer experience. The new fixed recycled material point of sale displays are aligned with our commitment to reduce waste and reuse materials throughout our supply chain.”
Plastic Bank founder David Katz says, “The collaboration of sustainability-focused manufacturers and retailers is essential to empower consumers with choices that make a difference for people and planet, and ultimately bring about behavioural change in society. Plastic Bank eagerly looks forward to building a long-term solutions for Mars Wrigley from this trial.”
5Pgroup CEO Marty Hardinge says working with industry leaders such as Mars Wrigley and Coles supported 5P’s sustainability ethos.
“At 5Pgroup we consider the full life span of our point-of-sale products, including materials, use of technology, production and end-of-life. We are committed to a process of continuous innovation and proud to be associated with such a proactive and tangible initiative which is making a positive difference in reducing and recycling social plastic waste.”
The announcement builds on Mars Wrigley’s commitment to creating a circular economy where plastic never becomes waste, with the company recently announcing it is transitioning its iconic Australian-made chocolate bars to a fully recyclable paper-based packaging from April 2023.