PepsiCo is rolling out new paper bags for all Walkers Baked multipacks in a bid to reduce virgin plastic on outer packaging by 180 tonnes per year.
The wider launch follows an exclusive trial in 800 Tesco stores earlier this year, with the packaging to be permanently rolled out to all major supermarkets in coming months.
The paper outer bag, which is a first for savoury snacks flexible packaging in the UK, can be widely recycled in home recycling bins alongside other paper packaging.
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The change, which is also set to lower greenhouse gas emissions of each individual pack, forms part of PepsiCo’s health and sustainability transformation plan to reach net zero emissions by 2040.
Across PepsiCo Europe, the food company also plans to eliminate virgin fossil-based plastic in crisp and snack bags by 2030 across UK brands including Snack A Jacks, Walkers, Doritos, Quavers and Wotsits, and will be delivered by using 100% recycled or renewable content.
PepsiCo UK and Ireland sustainable packaging lead, Gareth Callan, said: “We are constantly innovating new ways to remove virgin plastic in our packaging.
“It’s exciting to see our successful trial of this paper pack lead to a nationwide roll out. At this scale, the new packaging will deliver a huge reduction in virgin plastic, while also helping to lower our carbon footprint.“
This follows a similar move in May when PepsiCo began trialling ‘bagless’ multipacks across Snack A Jacks, with the packs using 86% less plastic when compared with the previous design.
