Mentos Pure Fresh Gum is now available in the United States in an innovative 90 percent paperboard bottle that is widely recyclable

Global confectioner Perfetti Van Melle, which makes Mentos, said the new paperboard bottle holds 80 pieces of gum and is now available on special displays at more than 3,000 Walmart stores in the U.S.

Consumers will find recycling instructions on the unique paperboard bottle, using typical U.S. curbside services or local drop-off programs. Perfetti Van Melle said it is the first-to-market Gum category product from a major global confectioner using this recyclable paperboard packaging.

The package is specifically tailored for Mentos Pure Fresh Gum in a unique partnership between Perfetti Van Melle and Graphic Packaging International with its Boardio technology designed to ensure the high Mentos standards for product safety and freshness.

"With this innovation, we are building not only on Perfetti Van Melle's commitment to environmental responsibility but are also giving our U.S. retail customers and loyal consumers another strong reason to say 'Yes to Fresh' – offering their beloved Mentos Gum in a unique, new paperboard package," said Craig Cuchra, Perfetti Van Melle Vice President of Marketing for the U.S. and Canada. "We're thrilled that Walmart, with its commitment to helping people to live better, will help us reach Mentos Gum fans all over the U.S. as the new package option begins to make its way to consumers."

While Walmart will be the first U.S. retailer to stock the new paperboard bottle in its candy and gum aisle in about 3,000 locations, and through Walmart.com, Perfetti Van Melle U.S. has received high interest from many other retailers.

When previewed to the U.S. retail and confectionery industry in mid-2021, the Mentos Gum paperboard bottle received industry awards for innovation from the National Confectioners Association and from the International Association of Packaging Professionals. 

"The new Mentos Pure Fresh paperboard bottle is an exciting step in our commitment to environmental responsibility,” said Perfetti Van Melle Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Boyd. “We will carefully monitor the consumer response to help guide ongoing packaging innovation and to deliver our plastics reduction, recycling, and re-use goals."   

The paperboard bottle is available in two flavors, Fresh Mint and Spearmint in an 80-piece value-sized package.