Do you love candy? I do. I love all kinds of candy! Chocolate is one of my favourite simple pleasures. I find it very frustrating that most candy comes in non-recyclable plastic packaging. Today’s post has 8 candy options with no plastic wrapping to satisfy your sweet tooth while caring for the planet.
This post was originally published in September 2019.
Why candy packaging isn’t recyclable
Snack food packaging has been one of the biggest challenges in my quest to reduce plastic waste. Most candy wrappers—and unfortunately potato chip bags too—are made from a mix of plastic and foil. That’s why they make that satisfying crinkly sound when you crack them open. Unfortunately, this also means that most municipal recycling programs don’t accept them.
Recycling programs exist in some areas
What’s really frustrating is that recycling programs for this type of packaging do exist but they’re not broadly available—at least not in Canada.
The only program I’m aware of in Canada is in British Columbia (BC). A research program was introduced in BC in 2018. BC residents can drop packaging from candy, potato chips and other things like granola bars off at Recycle BC depots. Recycle BC recycles what it can and recovers the rest into engineered fuel. You can read more about this innovative program on Recycle BC’s website.
I’ve also heard of similar programs in other countries. In the UK, Walkers Crisps sponsors a crisp packet recycling program in partnership with TerraCycle. The program has collection bins in over 1,600 locations across the country.
TerraCycle’s website shows they have many recycling programs here in Canada, including the one at Staples that collects printer cartridges and pens that I wrote about in this post. Unlike the UK, however, none of Canada’s big candy or potato chip manufacturers have stepped up to put a program in place.
I will be following the results of British Columbia’s research project closely, and looking out for similar programs in my area. In the meantime, for candy lovers who don’t have this type of program available, candy packaging is a dilemma for those who want to reduce their environmental impact.
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8 options for candy with no plastic packaging
I have been on the lookout for candy with no plastic packaging. Here are a few options I have found to help satisfy your sweet tooth…
- Mike and Ike
- Smarties
- Junior Mints
- Junior Caramels
- Large Toblerone bars
- Chocolate bars packaged in cardboard and foil – Lindt and President’s Choice are two that I have found.
- Milk Duds
- And, of course, bringing your own container and buying candy in a bulk food store is a great option.
My all-time favourite candy is Maltesers. For me, this melt-in-your-mouth candy is like a little bite of heaven. Sadly, in Canada, Maltesers are packaged in plastic. Bulk Barn sells Whoppers in bulk but they are a sad imitation of Maltesers, in my opinion! I heard that, in the UK, Maltesers are packaged in cardboard. Maybe I need to plan a trip to see my sister so I can stock up.
Now, if only they made potato chips in recyclable packaging. But, that’s a conversation for another day.
Have you found other candy with no plastic packaging? If you have, please, please, please tell me about them below.
I know Sweetarts come in boxes. I have never seen Smarties in boxes.
Smarties are different in Canada/UK and the US. In Canada and the UK, Smarties are candy-covered chocolates like M&Ms. They come in boxes. What Americans call Smarties, we call “Rockets”. So strange. LOL
We sell fudge and I am desperately trying to find a way to pack it without using plastic but that the client can still see their purchase? Any ideas welcome as we have to stop using plastics. If only people knew how dangerous plastic was for our health.
Hi Debra. Food packaging like that is tricky. The only thing I can suggest is using a paper wrapper with a picture of the fudge, although that might not satisfy those who want to see the actual product.
When I was a kid, Cadbury’s Dairy Milk used to come in a paper and foil two layer wrapper combination. Now it’s plastic. So many things could be down plastic free, but for some reason they aren’t
Dairy Milk is one of my favourites. I wish it still came in foil and paper. When I think back, so many things that are now packaged in plastic used to be in different packaging. That’s why it’s so frustrating. When you know valid alternatives exist, but they’re not being used.
I am so glad we have the soft plastics recycling option here in BC, but it isn’t a perfect program and less waste is always better. I love your list! Glossette Raisins are another one that can be found in boxes
The BC program is better than nothing but many people won’t make the effort to gather up their waste and take it somewhere. I wish manufacturers would rethink their packaging.
Ahh yes! Glossettes! I didn’t know they still made them.
The only one I can think of is Good & Plenty. Since I don’t like black licorice, they aren’t in my fav candy list. Mostly I stick with the dark chocolate bars or Junior Mints.
Ooh. I love Black licorice. I haven’t seen Good & Plenty for years so I’m not sure if they still sell them in Canada.
Can’t say I have seen them either, but not looking. 🤣
That sounds like such an excellent program BC has implemented, Michelle. I’d definitely like to hear more about it! I’m trying to come up with some candies they are sold here in Chicago that don’t have plastic. I’ll do some skulking and get back to you! Cher xo
I will look forward to hearing what you find Cher. It is actually surprising how hard it is to find candy that isn’t packaged in plastic. Even things that used to be wrapped in paper and foil are now in plastic. 🙁
I’m so disappointed with the overuse of plastic, Michelle. I am hoping that I can find ‘some’ candy that isn’t heavily packaged in plastic (not holding my breath, though). I shall report back!