Award-winning snack maker, Burts, is launching new packaging for its crisp packets made from 55 per cent recycled plastic.
Using recycled post-consumer (PCR) material to create the more environmentally friendly packets, Burts will be rolling out the new packaging across a selection of its favourite flavours and pack sizes of 40g and 150g from June 2025 – including popular flavours such as Mature Cheddar & Onion, Lightly Sea Salted, Sea Salt & Malt Vinegar and Devon Roast Beef. The updated packs will also feature a green flash to indicate the use of recycled plastic in the packaging.
This new initiative proudly makes Burts the first in the hand-cooked category to roll out the highest percentage of PCR inclusion in its packs.
With 58 per cent of consumers now considering environmental impact when choosing food, this is just one way the business continues to become more sustainable in line with customers’ needs.
The new packaging is set to save approx. 8,000 tonnes of virgin plastic as PCR recycles used consumer materials that have met their intended end use and is mixed with virgin resin to create packaging that uses less plastic than before.
Commenting on the new packaging, Rikin Lakhani, Managing Director, Europe Snacks said: “Over the past few years, we’ve carefully considered the different ways we can move to a more environmentally friendly packaging while keeping the same high-quality hand-cooked chips our customers know and love.
"The new PCR packaging will take used materials and incorporate it into new plastic, helping to create a circular economy and a happier environment. We know we have a way to go in terms of sustainability, but we’ve made some real strides recently and are constantly looking at how we can do better.”
This modification in packaging is just one of the many changes the brand has made over the past five years to help reduce its carbon footprint. This includes reducing the thickness of its film and pack dimensions from 50 to 40 micron – releasing 12.2 tonne less plastic into the market last year alone.
Additionally, the brand has decreased the weight of its film by 10% and reduced the weight and height of its tertiary boxes, all of which are from managed forests and are Forest Stewardship Council, to decrease the amount of cardboard used by 10% when shipping product.
All of Burts’ ingredients are traceable and farmed with care, with a Red Tractor stamp of approval. Ingredients are sourced as local as possible to keep food miles and its carbon footprint low, this means working with suppliers in the South West, including Quicke’s Cheese, South Devon Chilli Farm and Eversfield Organic.
