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Top UK crisp brands failing to ditch plastic packets, research shows Top UK crisp brands failing to ditch plastic packets, research shows
(4 months later)
Major UK crisp brands are failing to address consumer concerns about their unrecyclable plastic packets, new research claims, with many relying on pledges that won’t come into effect for years.Major UK crisp brands are failing to address consumer concerns about their unrecyclable plastic packets, new research claims, with many relying on pledges that won’t come into effect for years.
The latest findings from campaign group 38 Degrees come after more than 310,000 signed its petition demanding that brand leader, Walkers, take the initiative and ditch plastic packaging in favour of amore sustainable alternative. Recent polling has found that plastic waste will soon leapfrog price as shoppers’ top concern.The latest findings from campaign group 38 Degrees come after more than 310,000 signed its petition demanding that brand leader, Walkers, take the initiative and ditch plastic packaging in favour of amore sustainable alternative. Recent polling has found that plastic waste will soon leapfrog price as shoppers’ top concern.
Of all the brands scrutinised, KP Snacks (which owns McCoy’s, Tyrrell’s and Hula Hoops), Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer have all matched Walkers’ pledge to make their crisp packets 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable by 2025 – in seven years time.Of all the brands scrutinised, KP Snacks (which owns McCoy’s, Tyrrell’s and Hula Hoops), Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer have all matched Walkers’ pledge to make their crisp packets 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable by 2025 – in seven years time.
But as Walkers alone make 11m crisp packets a day, that means billions of non-recyclable crisp packets will be produced by 2025, warns 38 Degrees.But as Walkers alone make 11m crisp packets a day, that means billions of non-recyclable crisp packets will be produced by 2025, warns 38 Degrees.
Crisps and crisp-style snacks are popular staples in British households, regularly eaten by 90% of adults, according a recent Mintel report. UK consumers munch their way through 6bn packets of crisps a year.Crisps and crisp-style snacks are popular staples in British households, regularly eaten by 90% of adults, according a recent Mintel report. UK consumers munch their way through 6bn packets of crisps a year.
But, although the inside of conventional crisp packets look like foil, they are in fact a metallised plastic film. The government-funded body Recycle Now – part of its waste advisory body Wrap – advises that no packets are currently recyclable and that they should be put in the rubbish rather than the recycling bin.But, although the inside of conventional crisp packets look like foil, they are in fact a metallised plastic film. The government-funded body Recycle Now – part of its waste advisory body Wrap – advises that no packets are currently recyclable and that they should be put in the rubbish rather than the recycling bin.
Of other retailers, the Co-op has committed to “make 80% of [their] own brand packaging easy to recycle by 2020” with a longer term ambition to get to 100%. Morrisons said: “By 2025 our own-brand crisp packets will be 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable.”Of other retailers, the Co-op has committed to “make 80% of [their] own brand packaging easy to recycle by 2020” with a longer term ambition to get to 100%. Morrisons said: “By 2025 our own-brand crisp packets will be 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable.”
Golden Wonder (owned by Tayto) and Seabrook did not respond to requests for information and have no details on their websites. Kettle said it is working to make its packaging more sustainable but has not offered a firm commitment as to when its packets will be 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable.Golden Wonder (owned by Tayto) and Seabrook did not respond to requests for information and have no details on their websites. Kettle said it is working to make its packaging more sustainable but has not offered a firm commitment as to when its packets will be 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable.
“UK crisp manufacturers are failing their customers,” said retired teacher Geraint Ashcroft of Cardiff, who started the petition. “This inaction on plastic packaging has to stop. Whether it’s Walkers who acts first to eliminate plastic waste, or one of their competitors, there will surely be a huge boost for those companies who take bold action.”“UK crisp manufacturers are failing their customers,” said retired teacher Geraint Ashcroft of Cardiff, who started the petition. “This inaction on plastic packaging has to stop. Whether it’s Walkers who acts first to eliminate plastic waste, or one of their competitors, there will surely be a huge boost for those companies who take bold action.”
Cathy Warren, campaigner at 38 Degrees, added: “As the leading brand, Walkers has been the focus of customer pressure up to now. But competitors should take the lead where Walkers has failed and move to plastic-free or biodegradable packaging.”Cathy Warren, campaigner at 38 Degrees, added: “As the leading brand, Walkers has been the focus of customer pressure up to now. But competitors should take the lead where Walkers has failed and move to plastic-free or biodegradable packaging.”
RecyclingRecycling
Ethical and green livingEthical and green living
Consumer affairsConsumer affairs
SnacksSnacks
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