Crisps company Walkers is under the radar by the youth of UK as their #PacketInWalkers recycling campaign was earlier criticized as a publicity stunt. In defence of the company, Executive Director, David Babbs told The Guardian: “The public will be watching to make sure the new recycling scheme isn’t just a PR stunt.” However, some youngsters criticized the movement for limiting it to just the Walkers brand, while some others also showed scepticism about the effectiveness of the campaign.
Why are we only targeting Walkers and not all the other crisp companies who use plastic?! #PacketInWalkers
— Leah Benthin (@leahbenthin) September 26, 2018
Don’t really get this protest. Surely not buying their product would make far more sense?
— Jon Liversedge (@JLiversedge) September 25, 2018
Kanika Arora, 23, an LLB postgraduate student from the University of Reading told Westminster World that while the initiative seemed positive and she would participate in the movement. However, she was cynical about it being picked up by other students. Adding to her suggestions, she said: “Maybe there should be another incentive attached to it.”
H.L, 23, a student at University of Manchester told Westminster World that although most students consume Walkers, this campaign could be problematic She mentioned that people tend to take less effort to recycle. She claimed: “If there is a regular campaign that occurs once a week or once a month around university accommodations it might be more helpful.” She further recommended: “Students always face money-related issues. There should be monetary incentives attached to it, maybe consumers will get a discount as less as 5p or 10p with every time they recycle a certain number of packets.”
The company that is known to produce 7,000 crisp packets a minute has nevertheless decided to continue and promote their movement by setting up collection points all over the country. The Walkers website lists elaborate steps to guide customers through the recycling process. Ian Ellington, general manager of PepsiCo UK told The Daily Mail: “This is the first crisp packet recycling scheme in the UK and it will only work if everyone gets collecting, which is why we’ve made it simple and free.”
Many customers have voiced their opinions about supporting the brand and hoping to contribute towards the scheme including Deputy Leader, Amelia Womack.
Non-violent protest works! A huge win for an amazing campaign #PacketInWalkers https://t.co/L5Wxq1H6SO
— Amelia Womack ??????? (@Amelia_Womack) December 10, 2018
@walkers_crisps announced the UK’s first recycling scheme for crisp packets! 332,000 people signed the @38_degrees petition, this is what we can do when we advocate for change! #PacketInWalkers! now just to make sure they deliver a successful and effective scheme?
— Jasmine (@jasminorian) October 5, 2018
The campaign was set in motion after packets dating from 1997 were found on public spots like parks, beaches and streets around the country. Being an established brand that is regularly purchased by 90 percent of the adults in the UK, Walkers has decided to partner with TeraCycle for this issue. They aim to create recyclable and or bio-degradable packaging by the year 2025. This is essential as according to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) report published in October 2018, the UK has a target to recycle at least 50 percent household waste by 2020. Additionally, the same report contains objectives to restrict BMW landfilled to 35% of the 1995 baseline by 2020.