Walkers launches crisp packet recycling scheme

Walkers Crisps has begun a recycling campaign for their crisp packets following pressure from consumers and environmental groups.

Walkers became the focus of an internet campaign behind the hashtag #PacketInWalkers. The campaign on social media encouraged consumers to publish pictures of themselves posting empty crisp packets to the Walkers company after photos emerged of crisp packets more than 30 years old found entirely intact – highlighting the need for new environmentally friendly packaging materials.

The social media campaign asked members of the public to send used Walkers crisps packets back to the Leicester-based manufacturer with the freepost address attached on a piece of paper and taped to the packet. In turn this forced the Royal Mail to ask protesters to put the packets in envelopes before posting, after problems arose at their sorting offices with loose crisp packets.

In response to the campaign, Walkers Crisps has officially launched a new recycling scheme aimed at dealing with the problem. Crisp packets can now be sent to the company TerraCycle who will help recycle them after they have been dropped off at special collection points across the country. The campaign will allow for all brands of crisp packets – not just Walkers.

Collection points close to Leicester can be found at the following locations:

- Visit Leicester, 51 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester, L1 5AD

- Wilson’s Convenience Store, 26 Ratby Road, Groby, LE6 0GG

- 7 Melba Way, Birstall, Leicester, L24 4GT

Ian Ellington, general manager of Walker’s parent company PepsiCo UK commented on the scheme:

"This is another important step towards our ambition to make all of our packaging 100 per cent recyclable, compostable or biodegradable by 2025. This is the first crisp packet recycling scheme in the UK and it will only work if everyone gets collecting and sending in, which is why we've made the scheme as simple as possible and free."

Click here for more details on the scheme: https://www.walkers.co.uk/recycle

Here at LSPS, recycling is of great importance to us and we help businesses and individuals all across Leicestershire to reduce the amount of their waste that ends up at landfill sites. Our Waste Transfer Station is open to traders and has an extensive range of state-of-the-art equipment.

To find out how about we can help with your waste disposal needs please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.

Mixed progress for recycling rates in England

A new report from the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has shown progress in some areas of recycling in England and regression in other areas.

The new report has confirmed a 0.3% increase in recycling rates, increasing from 44.9% in 2016 to 45.2% in 2017. The total amount of ‘waste from households’ in England decreased by 1.5% in 2017 to 22.4 million tonnes from 22.8 million tonnes in 2016. This equates to 403 kg per person which is down from 412kg per person in 2016 – a total decrease of 2.2%.

Residual waste treated decreased from 12.5 million tonnes in 2016 to 12.3 million tonnes – a total decrease of 2.1%, while the overall figure of recycled waste decreased from 10.2 million tonnes in 2016 to 10.1 million tonnes in 2017.

The volume of dry recycling dropped from 6.0 million tonnes of waste in 2016 to 5.9 million tonnes in 2016, food waste recycling increased from 355 thousand tonnes to 386 thousand tonnes, while organic waste stayed the same at around 3.8 million tonnes.

EU targets are encouraging member states to meet targets of household waste recycling of 55% by 2025, 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035 together with packaging directives of 65% recycling by 2025 and 70% by 2030. These targets aim to reduce emissions, waste and potentially save billions of pounds in waste, greenhouse gas and social costs. UK officials have stated that the EU’s directive targets will be transferred into UK law after leaving the European Union.

Commenting on the targets earlier this year, Environment Minister Therese Coffey said: “I want the UK to lead the way in driving global resource efficiency and that’s why, as well as backing the EU’s circular economy package, we have committed to publishing a new resources and waste strategy in 2018.

“As we leave the EU we’ll be able to explore how we go even further to help achieve our aim of leaving our environment in a better state than we inherited it”.

Click HERE to read the full report.

Here at LSPS, recycling is of great importance to us and we help businesses and individuals all across Leicestershire to reduce the amount of their waste that ends up at landfill sites. Our Waste Transfer Station is open to traders and has an extensive range of state-of-the-art equipment.

To find out how about we can help with your waste disposal needs please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.