Less Plastic to Gum Up the Environment? Mentos Steps Out in New Sustainable Packaging

2/17/2022

Mentos Pure Fresh Gum's 90% paperboard bottle. Source: Perfetti Van Melle

Perfetti Van Melle is making its Mentos Pure Fresh Gum available in a 90% paperboard bottle.

The U.S. sustainability initiative, available in Fresh Mint and Spear Mint, will be available on special displays at more than 3,000 Walmart stores, and the company has plans to expand to other retailers.

The paperboard bottle, leveraging Boardio technology, will include instructions for recycling using typical U.S. curbside services or local drop-off programs.

The company previewed the packaging to the industry in mid-2021, receiving recognition from the National Confectioners Association and from the International Association of Packaging Professionals.

Craig Cuchra, Perfetti Van Melle vice president of Marketing for the U.S. and Canada said the innovation builds on the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility, leveraging its partnership with Walmart and its values to help people live better.

Perfetti Van Melle chief sustainability officer Andrew Boyd said the company would be carefully monitoring the consumer response “to help guide ongoing packaging innovation and to deliver our plastics reduction, recycling, and re-use goals."

A growing number of CPG companies are committing to sustainable business practices, producing packaging that is less harmful on the environment as well as implementing strategies in how they prepare and ship products.

For example, Goldenberry Farm recently made the switch to carton packaging, even partnering with carbon-neutral facilities. Additionally, Coty is producing fragrances with carbon-captured ethanol to lower its carbon emissions.

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