Walkers Chocolates unveils 100% recyclable paper packaging for its Turkish Delight and bar ranges
pic: Walkers Chocolate
Following in the wake of wider industry environmental improvement measures, Walkers Chocolates has confirmed it has moved to feature 100% recyclable paper wrapping for its own brand Turkish Delight and mint cream bar ranges, reports Neill Barston.
As the company noted, its decision to switch to the material from EVoPak, known as RCM (recyclable, compostable and marine safe), are set to be rolled out this month in Asda and Premier stores this month, as the consumer demand for ever-greater levels of eco-friendly packaging continues to grow amid major international targets at reducing pollution.
Moreover, as the business explained, the new paper wrapper provides a functional and environmentally friendly alternative to current snack and confectionary packaging which, over the past 30 years, has become complex with the development of light weight multi-layer structures.
This has driven efficiency and shelf life, but the complexity makes them impossible to deal with at end of life. This is compounded by consumer consumption, which is often on the move, making littering a bigger problem than other formats. The other factor is that small units using a complex combination of materials makes recycling and recovery options currently limited, resulting in landfill with no circularity option.
Wrapping breakthrough
Developed by EvoPak, a manufacturer of sustainable paper based flexible packaging, the new paper wrapper uses the same environmentally friendly technology as the world’s first fully recyclable crisp packet – the innovative polymer, Hydropol, developed by Aquapak, which is used in place of conventional plastic.
In addition, unlike conventional paper packaging which often contains polyethylene, consumers can dispose of the new Walkers’ wrapper in their normal kerbside recycling collection along with their other paper recyclable items.
Presently it is only possible to recycle similar wrappers by returning them to store, which isn’t convenient for consumers and in many cases, where recycling processes aren’t carefully controlled, the wrapper still ends up in landfill or incinerated. Significantly, if littered, the new wrapper does not produce harmful microplastics when it breaks down which cause serious damage to the environment and animal health.
To keep the chocolate fresh and in good condition in transit and on the shelf, the packaging needs to provide protection from oxygen, seal well on standard packaging equipment and must be easy to print on. As the company reported, Hydropol has been developed to provide this functionality as well as offering multiple safe end-of-life disposal options for consumers and brands who want to help eliminate harmful plastic pollution.
Furthermore, if unintentionally released into the natural environment, Hydropol– which is proven to be both non-toxic and marine safe – still has a safe end-of life and will dissolve and subsequently biodegrade. It does not break down into harmful microplastics either in the paper mill or if packaging it is not disposed of as intended. It is already being used in products such as crisp packets, chocolate and garment bags.
The wrappers have been certified as recyclable in standard paper recycling mills by OPRL, the only evidence-based on pack recycling labelling scheme. This means they feature the green recycle logo and can be disposed of in consumer kerbside collections along with other paper material, unlike other wrappers.
Tom Murtagh, Commercial Director, Walkers Chocolates, said: “At Walkers Chocolates, we have a strong focus on sustainability and are committed to reducing our impact on the environment. As part this, we will move away from plastic to paper-based materials completely over the next three to five years where possible. Today’s announcement is an exciting step for the Walkers team with two of 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.”
Mark Lapping, Chief Executive Officer, Aquapak, also welcomed the packaging breakthrough. He added: “Today’s announcement marks a significant step by major retailers to move to fully recyclable paper packaging.
“With Brits consuming an average of three chocolate bars a week, the opportunity to reduce the impact on the environment by removing conventional plastics from this type of packaging, improving paper recycling and making life easier for consumers, retailers and brands is enormous. Aquapak’s Hydropol technology has made this possible and opens the door for many other categories to do the same.”
