EvoPak has designed a paper wrapper for Walkers Chocolates bars that can be recycled at the kerbside.
The RCM packaging product uses Aquapak’s Hydropol polymer in place of conventional plastic.
Birmingham confectionary manufacturer Walkers will switch its own-brand Turkish delight and mint cream bars into the new wrappers, which have been certified as recyclable in standard paper recycling mills by accreditation scheme OPRL.
The packaging does not produce harmful microplastics when it breaks down, reducing risk to the environment and animals when littered.
Daniel McAlister, director of business operations at Evopak, said: “We have developed a special paper which we call RCM that has the potential to revolutionise packaging as we know it, thanks to the unique properties of Hydropol. The paper can be used in a range of applications from snacks and confectionary, to petcare and dry foods and cereals, and costs the same as existing materials.”
Tom Murtagh, commercial director at Walkers Chocolates, added: “I hope [the RCM switch] is the start of a much bigger revolution in the chocolate category, and one which will be welcomed by consumers who can recycle the wrappers and know that no harmful microplastics are being produced at end of life.”
Aquapak chief executive Mark Lapping said: “With Brits consuming an average of three chocolate bars a week, the opportunity to reduce the impact on the environment by removing conventional plastics from this type of packaging, improving paper recycling and making life easier for consumers, retailers and brands is enormous.”
The British Snack Company this spring launched a crisp packet that can be recycled in kerbside paper collections after detailed work with Evopak and Aquapak.
