Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers M&M’S in compostable packaging

The candy will be featured in compostable packaging at two of the zoo’s stores.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio, is offering a new confectionery product with a sustainability focus at its retail outlets. Denver-based SSA Group, which manages retail for the zoo and aquarium, says the zoo’s stores now offer M&M’S in compostable packaging. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium first featured the candy in earth-friendly packaging at its Zoo Marketplace and Jr Zookeeper stores and has since rolled it out to all its retail outlets.

According to SSA Group, M&M’S compostable packaging is a pilot program, launching in select markets. The product has been launched in markets where there is commercial access to composting facilities in order to give the packaging the best chance of reaching its intended destination.

“We’re excited to partner with companies and organizations aligned with our focus on sustainability,” an SSA spokesperson tells Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties. “The new M&M’S compostable packaging is an example of how small changes can improve our communities. We look forward to bringing the new compostable packaging from M&M’S to our nearly 100 partners across the U.S.”

SSA Group says it plans to roll the product out at other retail locations in the fourth quarter of this year and in early 2024.

The compostable packaging is made of materials that have been tested to break down in most commercial compost environments, turning into compost that is used to grow new plants, according to a statement from M&M’S on the packaging. The packaging material is sourced primarily from plants. After collection in commercial compost bins, the packaging is used to turn into compost, which can be used to grow new plants.

Emily May, director of retail operations for the Columbus Zoo with SSA Group, says the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium began to carry M&M’S in compostable packaging during the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA’s) 2023 Annual Conference, which took place Sept. 9-14 and was hosted by the zoo. A representative from M&M’S parent company, Mars Inc., also attended the AZA event to share details about the new confectionery product with attendees.

May adds that the zoo offers commercial composting and sends its compost to Price Farms Organics in Delaware, Ohio.

This isn’t the first time that the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has offered compostable packaging — May says the zoo’s food and beverage team has used compostable packaging, cups and utensils for years. However, she says, this is the first product sold in the zoo’s retail outlets that features compostable packaging.

May says the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has educated all its retail associates on the new product and its compostable packaging.