PepsiCo Europe to avoid virgin fossil-based plastics in crisp packets by 2030

     PepsiCo Europe has declared that by 2030, it intends to eradicate virgin fossil-based plastic from all its crisp and chip bags. This initiative will encompass brands such as Walkers, Doritos, and Lay’s and will be achieved through the use of 100% recycled or renewable plastic in its packages.

 

    Consumer testing of the packaging will commence in European markets in 2022, initiating with renewable plastic in a Lay’s range in France during the first half of the year. Later in the year, a variety from the Walkers brand in the UK will trial recycled materials.

 

    The recycled materials in the packages will originate from previously utilized plastic, while the renewable materials will derive from by-products of plants, like used cooking oil or paper pulp waste. PepsiCo estimates that it could realize up to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per ton of packaging material by switching to virgin fossil-free materials.

 

    Silviu Popovici, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo Europe states, “Flexible packaging recycling should be the norm across Europe. We envision a future where our bags will be devoid of virgin fossil-based plastic. ”

 

    Alongside the transition to the renewable and recycled initiative, PepsiCo has created its “Making Bags Better” program, which will concentrate on a range of investments and innovations to ensure that more flexible plastics are recycled and reused in Europe.