M&M’s to Skittles, Now in Fully Recycled Jars

Mars and Berry Global drop virgin plastic in favor of 100% recycled jars for popular US candy brands

7 Mar 2025

Mars is giving your candy jar a serious sustainability upgrade. In a major move toward circular packaging, Mars and Berry Global have teamed up to ditch virgin plastic in favor of fully recycled PET for their pantry jars. The redesigned containers, now rolling out for brands like M&M’s, Skittles, and Starburst, are made entirely from recycled plastic, except the lids.

This isn’t just a design tweak. The shift cuts more than 1,300 metric tons of virgin plastic each year, a sharp turn from just two years ago when Mars packaging used only 15% recycled content. The jars maintain the same crystal-clear look and sturdy feel customers are used to, proving recycled doesn’t have to mean second-rate.

The timing is no accident. States like California are tightening the rules on single-use plastics. Instead of scrambling to comply, Mars and Berry are setting the pace, showing that greener packaging isn’t just doable, it’s shelf-ready.

“This kind of move sends a message across the supply chain,” says Michelle Grant, a packaging sustainability advisor. “It proves that recycled content can meet performance standards at scale, without sacrificing shelf appeal.”

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Food-grade recycled plastic is still in short supply, and the whole system hinges on consumers recycling. But this launch makes a statement. If candy jars can go green, so can everything else.

For now, Mars and Berry are showing the industry what’s possible. They aren’t just catching up to the sustainability trend. They are helping define it.