Cadbury Crunchie chocolate bar multipacks see significant plastic cut in Tesco trial

Cadbury Crunchie Multipack Sticker Visual. Credit: Mondelēz International

Mondelēz International and Tesco have teamed up in a UK trial to reduce plastic packaging on Cadbury Crunchie chocolate bar multipacks, aiming to cut outer plastic by 60 percent.

The initiative, running until early 2026, will replace traditional plastic overwrap on around 1.8 million Crunchie Four Bar Multipacks sold in Tesco stores with innovative stickers.

Each sticker includes a QR code that links consumers to an online survey, enabling them to provide feedback on the new packaging design, usability, and access nutritional and recycling information. This direct consumer insight will inform Mondelēz’s future sustainable packaging innovations.

Joanna Dias, Mondelēz UK Sustainability Lead, said:

We’re delighted to be announcing this Cadbury Crunchie multipack trial in the UK which reduces the outer plastic use by 60 percent. Reducing our packaging and the use of virgin plastic are key pillars in our global ‘Pack Light and Right’ strategy and we know that more sustainable packaging is a key concern of our consumers, which is why we are asking for their valuable feedback on the trial.”

Tesco’s Head of Packaging, James Bull, added:

As part of our Planet Plan, Tesco is committed to reducing its packaging footprint and working with suppliers to assess the suitability of their packaging. This trial from Mondelēz International has the potential to drive forward change in the chocolate category, whilst supporting our mission to eliminate preventable packaging waste.”

Part of a broader strategy

This trial forms part of Mondelēz International’s global “Pack Light and Right” strategy, focused on reducing packaging volume, enhancing recyclability, and increasing use of recycled materials.

Last year, the company introduced 80 percent certified recycled plastic packaging for around 300 million Cadbury sharing chocolate bars in the UK and Ireland, replacing 600 tonnes of virgin plastic annually. The introduction of paper-based multipack bags for Cadbury biscuits has also reduced approximately 145 tonnes of virgin plastic use.

Meanwhile, Tesco’s packaging reduction efforts, guided by its “4Rs” strategy, have seen the removal of over 2.5 billion pieces of plastic from own-brand products since 2019 and 5,900 tonnes of packaging cut since 2020.