Walkers trials new sustainable paper-based packaging for Baked crisps

Walkers, a snack brand under the food and beverage company PepsiCo, is conducting a trial of paper-based outer packaging for its Walkers Baked multipacks.

This marks the first time flexible packaging for savoury snacks in the UK will use widely recyclable paper.

The new packaging will replace plastic wrapping for over 300,000 six-pack multipacks of two popular Walkers Baked flavours, Sea Salt and Cheese and Onion.

The trial packs are now available at 800 Tesco stores across the UK. Walkers plans to gather feedback from shoppers on the new design and its functionality. This marks Walkers' second major sustainable packaging trial with Tesco in recent months. The company recently introduced new cardboard outer packaging for millions of Walkers 22- and 24-bag multipacks to major supermarkets in the UK, reducing the amount of virgin plastic used in the supply chain annually.

This trial is part of Walkers' goal to eliminate virgin fossil-based plastic from its crisp and snack bags across Europe by 2030, which is part of pep+, the company's global health and sustainability transformation plan.

"With this latest trial, people can buy a selection of Walkers Baked multipacks in paper-based outer packaging that can be easily and widely recycled with regular recycling at home. Feedback is so important in helping us deliver the best possible experience for consumers, and we can't wait to hear people's thoughts when the packs land in stores." - Rachel Smith, Senior Marketing Manager, Walkers.

"We're always exploring new packaging solutions that can help us reduce virgin fossil plastic use, in pursuit of our broader sustainable packaging goals. After more than two years in development, we're looking forward to testing this paper-based outer material with our consumers to better assess the role it could play in our future packaging portfolio." - Gareth Callan, Packaging Sustainability Lead, PepsiCo UK & Ireland.

This article was originally published by PepsiCo UK.