THE BITTER TRUTH: HOW CHOCOLATE PACKAGING IS POLLUTING OUR OCEANS

Sweet Treats, Bitter Consequences: How Chocolate Packaging Impacts Our Oceans

Chocolate wrappers are a significant contributor to plastic pollution. Single-use plastics, commonly used to wrap various types of chocolate, are frequently found in everyday waste. These materials can enter rivers and oceans, whether discarded correctly or not, posing a serious threat to marine life, mainly through ingestion. Single-use plastics are especially harmful as many cannot be reused or recycled due to limitations in technology and recycling markets (Brintha, 2022).

Chocolate wrappers made from single-use plastic are among the worst options for anyone hoping to protect ocean health and marine animals. Once in the ocean, these plastics break down into microplastics, which never fully disintegrate (Swink).

In fish, microplastics can cause structural damage to the intestines, liver, gills and brain. They also disrupt metabolic balance, alter behaviour and reduce fertility (Zolotova et al., 2022).

Not only is this harmful for marine life, but the drop in fertility rates could seriously affect the planet’s food chain and overall ecosystem. Microplastics can also impact humans. When they enter oceans, they make their way into seafood, meaning we’re potentially consuming them too. Choosing sweets wrapped in plastic contributes to polluted oceans, environmental damage and health risks for people.

Chocolate Packaging’s Journey to the Ocean

Many believe throwing chocolate wrappers in the bin is enough to keep them out of the ocean. However, that’s not always the case. According to Sydney Coastal Councils, food packaging can still end up in waterways, even when disposed of properly.

In Sydney, for example, packaging often ends up in the harbour without people intentionally littering. Rainfall can overwhelm stormwater systems, washing litter from streets and carparks into creeks and rivers, eventually reaching the ocean. Strong winds can also blow lightweight wrappers out of overfilled bins. From there, tides and currents carry the plastic even further (Sydney Coastal Councils, 2022).

For these reasons, simply binning your wrappers isn’t enough. The best solution is to avoid buying chocolates with single-use plastic packaging altogether. By supporting brands that use sustainable alternatives, you help keep the oceans clean and marine life safe.

Smart Sweets: What Brands Are Best for Our Oceans?

While it’s disheartening that many popular chocolates harm the environment, there are brands making better choices. It is important to research attributes and packaging types brands use, to make informed purchasing decisions, you can read about this in our blog post, Chocolate Plastic Problem: Why Brands Need to Do Better. or download our Chocolate Wrapper Guide.

Mars Wrigley Australia has introduced paper-based wrappers for some of its chocolates, though it’s worth noting these still contain 14% plastic. Fully paper-based wrappers, when recyclable, are a better choice. Unlike plastic, paper is biodegradable and decomposes naturally in the ocean with the help of microorganisms, breaking down into water, carbon dioxide and organic matter (SmartBag, 2024).

Another eco-friendlier brand in Australia is Tony’s Chocolonely, which uses recyclable paper and aluminium foil packaging. Although aluminium isn’t biodegradable, it can be recycled indefinitely, making it a more sustainable option than plastic.

You can find Tony’s Chocolonely in most major supermarkets and convenience stores across Australia, including Woolworths, Coles, IGA and EzyMart. Next time you’re craving a sweet treat, consider its packaging and make a choice that’s better for our planet.

References

Brintha, C. (2022). Which Plastics Are the Major Contributors to Plastic Pollution? rePurpose Global, 1 August. Link

Swink, C.-A. (2021). The Unexpected Impact of Your Favourite Sweet Treats, Ocean Blue Project, 9 April. Link

Zolotova, N., Kosyreva, A., Dzhalilova, D., Fokichev, N. and Makarova, O. (2022). Harmful Effects of Microplastic Pollution on Animal Health: A Literature Review, PeerJ, 10, e13503. Link

Smartbag Australia (2024). Environmental Impact of Paper Bags in Australia, 7 August.

Sydney Coastal Councils Group (2022). Greater Sydney Harbour Regional Litter Prevention Strategy 2021–2030.

How to get involved

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