Row as protesters post their empty crisp packets back to Walkers in war on plastic
GREEN campaigners are posting empty crisp bags to Walkers in the fight against plastic pollution.
The crisp giant’s headquarters is being sent ‘thousands’ of wrappers as activists protest against its use of non-recyclable plastic.
Royal Mail is legally obliged to deliver the packets to Walkers’ freepost address, which protesters write on the front.
But now they have been urged by Royal Mail to packet in ... and use envelopes. It says staff are having to sort through the packets by hand as the machines cannot read them.
A spokesman said: ‘ Crisp packets can’t go through the machines, therefore my hardworking colleagues need to manually sort them, which adds time.’
The campaign was launched on the activist website 38 Degrees and a petition has attracted more than 310,000 signatures.
Activists have contacted Leicester-based Walkers and its brand ambassador, retired England footballer Gary Lineker, threatening a boycott unless it switches to recyclable bags.
Cathy Warren, of 38 Degrees, said: ‘Royal Mail has asked people to use envelopes and we will update the thousands of Walkers customers who are taking part. Walkers produces a staggering 7,000 plastic crisp packets a minute, which they don’t pay a penny to clean up. They need to take action now.’
Walkers says its packaging is designed to keep its crisps fresh and prevent food waste.
The firm added: ‘The returned packets will be used in our research, as we work towards our commitment of improving recyclability.’
It has pledged to make all packaging recyclable, compostable or biodegradable by 2025.
A 30-year-old Walkers bag was found on a beach in Cornwall earlier this year. The packs are made from layers of polypropylene and aluminium that cannot be separated for recycling so must be burnt or buried in landfill.