School crisp packet hoard will boost air ambulance charity

Renovations at Perth High uncover ‘around 14 black bags’ filled with wrappers

A hoard of “hundreds” of empty crisp packets unearthed at a Perth school has been donated to recycling in aid of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).

Renovations at Perth High School uncovered the crisp bags, which were hidden underneath enclosed seating at the school.

Instead of sending the packets to landfill, Perth and Kinross Council is working with recycling supporters of SCAA to raise money.

Perth High School head teacher Thirza Pupillo said: “It was a real surprise to find the crisp packets during the renovation works.”

She added there “must have been around 14 black bags” filled with the packets.

Companies and individuals across Scotland are signing up to a campaign named “crispsforhelimed79” to aid SCAA.

The campaign is registered with the recycling organisation Terracycle.

Council environment and infrastructure committee convener Angus Forbes encouraged individuals to participate in the new recycling scheme to support the SCAA and protect the environment.

He said: “Householders are increasingly looking for ways to help the planet and Terracycle has found a way of recycling unwanted crisp packets into something new and useful.

“The crisp packets that are collected are separated by plastic type, cleaned and made into plastic pellets which can then be created into a new items such as a garden bench or some fence posts.”

He added: “If you’d like to take part in this at home, put a bag or box aside and drop in every empty packet that you’ve used. Then when the bag or box is full, take it to one of the SCAA collection points.”

SCAA director of fundraising and communications Nick Harvey has praised the council for using the crisp packets recovered from Perth High School to assist the charity. He added that it would ultimately save lives.

He said: “We’re really heartened and grateful to companies, groups and organisations everywhere for supporting our plans to launch a second life-saving helicopter.

“SCAA is the people’s helicopter and having the support of so many in the Perthshire area is fantastic.”

Terracycle has found a way of recycling unwanted crisp packets into something new and useful. ANGUS FORBES

Picture: Kenny Smith. Angus Forbes, school janitor Willie Ness, SCAA deputy CEO and fundraising and communications director Nick Harvey, and Mandy Bennett, Arnold Clark Rental Ops.