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People Are Putting Crisp Packets Into Postboxes And Royal Mail Isn't Happy

Rachel Andrews

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| Last updated 

People Are Putting Crisp Packets Into Postboxes And Royal Mail Isn't Happy

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/38 Degrees

Campaigners are urging Walkers to ditch plastic packaging for all of its crisps by posting back empty packets in the mail.

People are being encouraged to share selfies as they return the snack brand's non-recyclable packaging through the post, along with the hashtag #PacketInWalkers.

Royal Mail has now waded in on the debate, begging campaigners to stop posting the packets, unless they use an envelope.

The crisp packets don't go through the Royal Mail sorting machines, meaning they have to be sorted manually, which takes workers much more time.

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Recycling campaigners have been sending packets back to the Leicester-based crisp manufacturer by just sellotaping the company's freepost address on them without a stamp, as it requires no postage charge.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "We strongly encourage customers not to post anything into the postal system which is not properly packaged.

"Crisp packets can't go through the machines, they are not normal mail items therefore my hardworking colleagues need to manually sort them, which adds to time."

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Campaigners at 38 Degrees have since told the public to continue posting, but follow Royal Mail's advice of using an envelope.

The plastic packaging that Walkers currently uses isn't recyclable, although the company says it will be by 2025.

But campaigners aren't happy to wait seven years for this change, saying that Walkers could produce another 28 billion packets by then, which will pollute the planet.

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A total of 310,813 people have signed 38 Degrees' petition, urging Walkers to 'lead the way'.

"We call upon Walkers and other manufacturers to change the materials for their packets to one which is recyclable or even more preferably a non-plastic environmentally friendly material," reads the petition.

It continues: "Currently the majority of crisp packets in the UK and Worldwide are not recyclable so they have to go to landfill.

"As a nation the UK alone consumes approximately 6 billion packets a year. Imagine what the figure would be for Europe or Worldwide. That's an awful lot of landfill and poison for the environment.

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"Crisp packets have been found intact after 33 years. Imagine during that time the effect on wildlife and the environment.

Credit: Flickr
Credit: Flickr

"At today's consumption rate in 33 years time there will be 200 billion crisp packets either sent to landfill or polluting our oceans. Many will be ingested by animals, fish or birds leading to a slow lingering death."

Royal Mail has said around 30 crisp packets have been handled so far.

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Walkers says that all of the returned packets will be used in its research to 'improve recyclability' of packaging.

A Walkers spokesperson said: "We recognise the efforts being made to bring the issue of packaging waste to our attention.

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"The returned packets will be used in our research, as we work towards our commitment of improving the recyclability of our packaging."

Topics: Life News, walkers, Food And Drink

Rachel Andrews
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