Plastic is a hot topic and so we’re doing our part to reduce how much we use
and make it easier to recycle.
We are committed to working with our suppliers and industry-wide organisations –
such as WRAP – to seek better solutions.
As part of The UK Plastics Pact, by 2025 we are committed to:
Eliminate problematic or unnecessary single use packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (reuse) delivery model.
100% of plastics packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable.
70% of plastics packaging effectively recycled or composted.
30% average recycled content across all plastic packaging.
WHY DO WE USE PLASTIC?
Before the 1960’s, crisps were sold in tins or waxed bags which meant they went stale within a few days. Golden Wonder pioneered the introduction of plastic packets which allowed crisps to stay fresh for weeks. Over time, advances in packaging materials mean that our crisps now stay as fresh as the day they were made – for at least 10 weeks.
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO REDUCE PLASTIC?
Over the past 5 years we have reduced our use of plastic by over 130 Tonnes a year
through a number of initiatives:
SMALLER PACKS
SAME WEIGHT
We have made our packs
as small as possible to reduce the amount of plastic used
in each bag.
THINNER PACKS
Our packs are made up of
very thin layers – measured
in millionths of a metre.
By making each of these layers even thinner we have reduced the plastic in each bag.
This can make it feel more flimsy but can reduce the amount of plastic by over 10%. We’ve also reduced the thickness of the outer packaging on our multi-packs saving even more plastic.
'CAVITATED'
OUTER PACKS
All of our multi-packs now
use a clever film that has micro-bubbles of air within the film. These holes (or cavities) in the film reduce the amount of plastic used by over 20% compared to standard plastic film. It doesn’t feel any thinner – we just use less plastic.
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO RECYCLE MORE PLASTIC?
All of Golden Wonder’s packs (main packs and multi-pack outers) can now be recycled
at many stores alongside other flexible plastics. This is a fairly recent change so,
to help let people know, we are updating all our packs to include this message but
it may take a bit of time to get to every pack.
