Pringles told: packet in with ‘idiotic’ design

PRINGLES tubes are notoriously difficult to recycle and manufacturers need to change the ‘idiotic’ design according to an environmental expert.

The Recycling Association’s chief executive, Simon Ellin, says packaging has come a long way in recent years, but there are still some designs which are almost impossible to recycle.

And Pringles’ distinctive packaging is one of the worst offenders.

Mr Ellin told a recycling conference: “What idiot designed this in terms of recyclability?

“We’ve got a cardboard tube, a metal bottom, a plastic lid.

“The Pringles factor - right at the design stage, we’ve got to get that right.

“What we’re putting in our recycling bins has got to be recyclable. We’ve got to get away from the Pringles factor.”

Pringles says it takes its recycling responsibility “seriously” and is working to improve. The crisp company claims its characteristic tube helps preserve the crisps for longer and cuts food waste.

A spokesman said: “The freshness of our chips means a longer shelf life, which minimises food waste.”

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Ellin named his other “recycling villains”.

Sports drinks bottles, like those used by Lucozade, are “confusing” to automatic recycling scanners.

They have to be picked off the conveyer by hand and are often just thrown away, Mr Ellin said.

Black plastic, as used in meat packaging, is “almost impossible” to recycle and whisky bottles also create difficulties due to the case, glass bottle and metal cap.