Walkers is taking a sustainable approach to food packaging with the trialling of its new multipack design for Snack A Jacks. The new packaging is set to reduce plastic waste by 86% when compared to the previous design. This innovative solution involves a tape-like strip holding together five individual packets of Snack A Jacks, creating a “bagless” multipack. As Walkers’ first recyclable packaging for Snack A Jacks, both the tape and individual packets qualify under the UK On-Pack Recycling Label Scheme and can be recycled at flexible packaging collection points in supermarkets across the UK.
This trial marks Walkers’ third sustainable packaging partnership with Tesco in recent months, where the companies have worked together to replace Walkers’ outer plastic packaging with a cardboard design and pilot paper-based outer packaging for Walkers Baked multipacks. With a £2 million investment into new equipment, Walkers’ Skelmersdale site in Lancashire, where Snack A Jacks are made, is now producing the innovative, sustainable bags.
This initiative forms part of PepsiCo Positive, the parent company of Walkers, health, and sustainability transformation plan, which includes an ambition of reaching net zero emissions by 2040. Aiming to eliminate virgin fossil-based plastic in crisp and snack bags by 2030, PepsiCo Europe is working towards delivering this ambition by using 100% recycled or renewable content across brands such as Snack A Jacks, Walkers, Doritos, Quavers, Wotsits, and Pipers.
“We’re looking forward to assessing this new format as part of our commitment to creating a world where packaging never becomes waste,” says Gareth Callan, packaging sustainability lead at PepsiCo UK & Ireland. As we move toward more sustainable food packaging, it is essential that businesses implement such innovative and eco-friendly solutions to help tackle plastic waste. Walkers’ partnership with Tesco is a prime example of how working together can help drive positive change for the environment and consumers alike.