Walkers Crisps introduces recycling scheme amid outcry over packaging waste
Company introduces changes following petition signed by over 300,000
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Walkers Crisps make 11 million packets of crisps a day. That makes for a lot of waste plastic.
Following a petition in which 330,000 people called for action on packaging, the company has announced it will introduce a recycling scheme
It comes after campaigners began posting the packets – a combination of plastic and foil – back to Walkers, causing Royal Mail to issue a plea for people not to send them without envelopes.
From December, people will be able to use envelopes to post empty packets directly to a recycling company for free.
Walkers has also pledged to make all their packaging 100 per cent recyclable or biodegradable by 2025.
Geraint Ashcroft from Pontypridd, who started a petition calling for Walkers to take action, and which amassed more than 330,000 signatures, said: “Today’s announcement by Walkers is really exciting, and I hope other snack companies get on board.
“This is a great first step and makes all the work that's gone into the petition worthwhile. But Walkers still have a lot to do to meet their pledge of making their packaging fully recyclable, compostable or biodegradable.”
Walkers said its packets are technically recyclable, but until the scheme begins they are not separated or collected for recycling.
The company said its partnership with recycling firm TerraCycle was "the UK's first nationwide recycling scheme for crisp packets", and any brand of crisp packets – not just Walkers – would be accepted.
The recycling firm will clean and shred the packets before turning them into plastic pellets to be reused in other plastic products.
David Babbs, executive director of website 38 Degrees, which hosted the petition, said: “We’re delighted to hear that Walkers will now be recycling used crisp packets. It’s proof that public pressure can shift big companies to do more to prevent waste. Over 332,000 people signed this petition, and it’s their voices that have made a huge, multi-national company listen.
“But let’s not forget that there’s still more for Walkers to do if they want to keep the public on side. The public will be watching to make sure that the new recycling scheme isn’t just a PR stunt. And most importantly, they have to make their crisp packets fully recyclable far sooner than 2025.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments