Walkers Chocolates is switching its Turkish Delight and Mint Cream chocolate to 100% paper wrappers that are kerbside recyclable.
Unlike conventional paper packaging which can contain polyethylene, consumers can dispose of the new Walkers’ wrapper in their normal kerbside recycling collection along with other paper recyclable items.
Currently, it is only possible to recycle many confectionary wrappers by returning them to store, and even then, most of them still end up in landfill or are incinerated.
Developed by EvoPak, this new paper wrapper (known as RCM) uses the same technology as the ‘world’s first’ fully recyclable crisp packet – the polymer, Hydropol, developed by Aquapak, which is used in place of a conventional plastic liner.
The companies say that Hydropol keeps chocolate fresh and in good condition in transit and on the shelf, while providing protection from oxygen, enabling sealability on standard packaging equipment and facilitating easy printing.
Aquapack also claims that Hydropol allows the pack to remain fully recyclable (as certified by OPRL) and compostable, and that thanks to its solubility it doesn’t interfere with the recycling process and can allow up to 100% paper fibre recovery in standard mills.
The company says that the solution is non-toxic, marine-safe, and doesn’t break down into microplastics either in the paper mill or if packaging it is not disposed of as intended.
Tom Murtagh, Commercial Director, Walkers Chocolates, said: “Today’s announcement is an exciting step for the Walkers team with two our key customers and I hope is the start of a much bigger revolution in the chocolate category, and one which will be welcomed by consumers who can recycle the wrappers and know that no harmful microplastics are being produced at end of life.”
Packaging Europe, 2024
14th November 2024.
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