‘It’s really easy to sign up’

Since the launch of the Walkers crisp packet recycling scheme last December, volunteer collectors range from councils to schools, pubs and private individuals. Suzanne Liano, a dental therapist at Tangmere Dental Care, said the practice joined the initiative as part of its bid to reduce plastic waste going into landfill. Suzanne said: “As well as doing the best we can within the limitations of strict dental legislation, we felt this was another way we could help the environment. It started off with oral health care waste recycling, initiated with Colgate with Terracycle, and then I asked myself what else we could recycle.

“The scheme gives us points for our nominated charity, Brent Lodge Bird & Wildlife Trust.

“It’s going really well and the box fills up quickly.”

Setting up is easy: “Just do it! It’s also a great way of getting money for your local charity and raising awareness in the commmunity.” Laura Parry is a manager at the Unicorn Inn, Heyshott, which bags up at least 10 crisp packets daily.

Laura said: “We’re on the map and we’ll take crisp packets in if anyone brings them in. It’s easy enough to do - you’ve just got to find a way to store them rather than chuck them in the bin. If Terracycle are happy to recycle and reuse them, every little helps.”

Dean Brown-fuller, general manager of The Seal, Selsey, became involved because there was nowhere local available.

Dean said: “We probably get through at least 200 packets a week and it’s good to see them recycled.”

He hopes to set up a drop-off point outside to make it easier for the public to use: “As we’re on the map, we’ve had locals drop off big bags of crisp packets. We’re also expanding to other areas of recycling, starting with cigarette butts, stationery and pens, and are trying to branch out as far as we can. It’s good to see it not get into landfill.

“It’s really easy to sign up anyone can do it from their own household. You just have to fill out a form. It only costs a little bit of your time.” Arun District Council is participating in the scheme in Bognor Regis and the Civic Centre, Littlehampton, for the benefit of both staff and the public, while Chichester District Council is currently investigating the Terracycle scheme for both employees and district residents.