For 18 months, Cox & Co has been working toward producing a paper flow wrap to replace its compostable plastic packaging. Working closely with a paper manufacturer in Sweden to find the right type of material and reconfiguring its flow wrap machine to accept it, this week saw the first ever 100% paper flow wrapped chocolate bar roll off the production line. 

Offering a 12-month minimum shelf life, Cox & Co’s new paper flow wrap solution is a huge step in the right direction to reducing the huge amount of chocolate packaging waste that currently ends up in landfill, per the company.

“Consumers are now actively seeking brands that take sustainability seriously and products that are easy to recycle,” explains Gavin Cox, founder of Cox & Co. “Chocolate is a popular household purchase and yet so little of the packaging can be easily recycled at curbside. We are set to change all that with our revolutionary new packaging, which offers a neat and tidy result without the use of plastic.”

As a smaller brand, Cox & Co has been able to pivot its production to test out new paper-based packaging solutions. “It’s taken many months of trial to get to this point, but it’s been worth the effort. Seeing that first bar roll off the production line was incredibly satisfying,” Cox adds. 

At a time when the cost of cocoa has risen significantly because of poor harvests, this new packaging also allows the brand to reduce its packaging costs by 35%, offsetting price rises and enabling it to continue to offer its bars at a competitive price. 

The brand, which is part of a larger confectionery group, aims to roll the new packaging out across the board. “This will make a significant difference to our costs overall,” Cox explains. “We can effectively keep prices competitive whilst doing our bit to reduce our environmental impact; it’s a win-win.”

From start to finish, Cox & Co has been focused on producing chocolate that doesn’t make people choose between being ethical or enjoying an indulgent treat; this is a chocolate range that places equal importance on both. The new paper packaging will be used across its three flavors: Mint Crunch, Miso Caramel, and Bee Pollen & Honey.