American multinational food and beverage company PepsiCo has announced that its Walkers snack brand is launching a nationwide packaging recycling scheme in the UK.

Walkers will encourage consumers to drop their empty crisp packets at one of the hundreds of public access collection points around the country.

This scheme, in partnership with recycling company TerraCycle, will accept all types of crisp packet brands. Consumers can also post their packets for free to TerraCycle for direct recycling.

Collected crisp packets will be cleaned, shredded and turned into small plastic pellets as part of the Walkers recycling scheme. The converted plastic will then be used for items such as fence posts and benches.

PepsiCo UK general manager Ian Ellington said: “We share people’s concerns about the amount of plastic in our environment and are working on a number of both short and long-term solutions to reduce the impact of our packaging. Our new Walkers recycling initiative starts to tackle this issue right now by repurposing used crisp packets to create everyday items such as plant pots and benches. We hope people will embrace this idea and join us in ensuring crisp packets are recycled.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“We’re determined to crack this in the long term and have a number of initiatives underway to create the right materials and environment for the crisp packets of the future.”

Walkers’ long-term goals include making all of its packaging 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable by 2025.

TerraCycle Europe general manager Laure Cucuron said: “We’re delighted to be working with Walkers to launch the UK’s first nationwide recycling scheme for crisp packets. We hope other snacks manufacturers will follow suit, by investing in new ways to reduce the amount of packaging that goes to landfill and incineration.”

The Walkers recycling scheme will begin from December this year and the company is expected to release full details of the collection point locations closer to the time.