Mondelez International is set to take the stage at the Environmental Packaging Summit 2025 to showcase its progress on the Cadbury Dairy Milk recycled plastic packaging project. The presentation will highlight how one of the world’s most iconic chocolate brands is addressing packaging sustainability while maintaining shelf appeal and product integrity.

This initiative marks a significant shift for Mondelez, reflecting a broader transformation across the FMCG sector toward circular packaging systems. The company has successfully begun integrating 30% food-grade recycled plastic into the flow-wrap packaging of Cadbury Dairy Milk bars in the UK — a move designed to significantly cut virgin plastic use without compromising functionality or food safety.

The project, launched in collaboration with key supply chain partners, leverages advanced recycling technologies to ensure the plastic meets EU and UK food contact standards. The result is a mono-material recyclable wrapper that supports local recycling infrastructure and reduces lifecycle emissions.

Key features of the new Cadbury Dairy Milk packaging include:

• 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic content
• Mono-material design compatible with existing soft plastic recycling systems
• Reduced carbon footprint in production and end-of-life scenarios
• Consistent branding and protection to maintain consumer familiarity

The packaging redesign is part of Mondelez’s “Pack Light and Right” strategy, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of packaging by making it lighter, simpler, and easier to recycle. It aligns with the company’s target to use 100% recyclable packaging by 2025 and cut virgin plastic use by at least 25%.

“We’re proud to lead the way in mainstreaming food-grade recycled plastic for confectionery packaging,” said a Mondelez spokesperson. “It demonstrates that sustainability and iconic branding can work hand in hand.”

At the Environmental Packaging Summit, Mondelez will discuss the technical and regulatory challenges it faced, including the complexities of sourcing consistent-quality PCR plastic and ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions. The presentation is expected to serve as a case study in scalable sustainable packaging for high-volume FMCG products.

As regulatory pressures mount and consumer expectations evolve, such initiatives are setting new benchmarks for the confectionery industry. The integration of recycled plastic in a brand as established as Cadbury signals to competitors and suppliers alike that sustainability is becoming a non-negotiable standard.

By aligning material innovation with consumer trust, Mondelez offers a powerful example of how packaging can become a driver of environmental progress — without sacrificing market performance or product experience.