Mars bars, Snickers will have a new recyclable packaging

Australia is leading the way as iconic chocolate bars Mars and Snickers reveal a new look as they hit shelves from today.

A huge change is coming to Australia’s favourite chocolate bars in a bid to remove hundreds of tonnes of plastic from the environment.

Mars bars and Snickers will be wrapped in recyclable paper-based packaging, meaning they can be tossed in customers’ kerbside recycling bin as of April 17.

Milky Way bars will follow suit soon after.

The Aussie market is the first in the world where Mars Wrigley will roll out its new paper-based wrappers, which will be available around the country.

Kobie Dee partnered with Mars Wrigley to celebrate the new packaging. Picture: Supplied

Richard Weisinger, the portfolio director at Mars Wrigley, said: “After a three-year project to redesign our packaging for our bars portfolio, seeing our chocolate bars now in store in our new paper-based wrapping is incredibly exciting for us.

“This change is the first step of many for us, and once our chocolate bar portfolio is fully transitioned, we will eliminate more than 360 tonnes of plastic from our value chain – this is the equivalent of travelling from Melbourne to London and back.”

To celebrate the new wrappers, Mars Wrigley has partnered with Gomeroi man and rapper Kobie Dee.

“I feel very hopeful when brands like Mars Wrigley prioritise sustainability. They have the power and influence to lead by example so others follow,” the rap artist said.

“As a proud Aboriginal man, caring and protecting country is something very important to me.

Mars bars and Snickers are the first to sport the new packaging, with Milky Way to follow.

“Aboriginal people have a strong connection to land and country and we need to do what we can to protect and sustain it,” he said.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with this iconic brand, and take my fans on a journey with me to learn more about sustainability and the impact that innovation and technology can have in helping us care for the environment.”

Mr Weisinger said the company was thrilled to work with the performer to support the launch.

“Kobie has an innate gift for storytelling, genuine passion for sustainability and an ability to connect people together,” he said.

Mars Wrigley’s new sustainably packaged bars are now in-store nationally across leading retailers – including 7-Eleven, Coles and Woolworths.

Head to morethanjustawrapper.com.au to find out more