We like proper tasty food made of real, natural ingredients, so we care about doin’ right by the world around us. That’s why we’re always working away at a whole bunch of things to be more sustainable.
We’re well proud of some of the things we’ve achieved so far, but we know we’ve got a ways to go yet.
Reduce
In 2024 we reduced the plastic in our Burts crisp bags in the UK by 20%. We did it by reducin’ the thickness of the OPP film that makes our bags. From 50 microns to 40 to be precise.
Reuse
Our most popular flavours (Sea Salt & Malt Vinegar, Lightly Sea Salted, Mature Cheddar & Onion and Devon Roast Beef) now use 55% Post Consumer Recycled Plastic in their bags. That means we’ve been able to reduce virgin plastics by 55% in those bags.
If you like a bit of detail with yer good news, you’ll want to know that our 55% recycled plastic figure is calculated based on a mass balance approach and ISCC certified.
The long and short of this is that every bag might have a slightly different amount, but overall there’s a verified minimum of 55% recycled plastic used..
Recycle
In the UK crisp packets aren’t part of household recylin’ collections. That’s as frustratin’ to us as to you, no doubt. We hope that things change. In the meantime we reckon the enjoyment of a decent chip is worth the little bit of effort it takes to save up your soft plastic recyclin’ and drop it off somewhere they’ll take care of it for you. You can find your closest spot at recyclenow.com
In 2024 we reduced the plastic in our Burts crisp bags in the UK by 20%. We did it by reducin’ the thickness of the OPP film that makes our bags. From 50 microns to 40 to be precise.
Our most popular flavours (Sea Salt & Malt Vinegar, Lightly Sea Salted, Mature Cheddar & Onion and Devon Roast Beef) now use 55% Post Consumer Recycled Plastic in their bags. That means we’ve been able to reduce virgin plastics by 55% in those bags.
If you like a bit of detail with yer good news, you’ll want to know that our 55% recycled plastic figure is calculated based on a mass balance approach and ISCC certified.
The long and short of this is that every bag might have a slightly different amount, but overall there’s a verified minimum of 55% recycled plastic used..
In the UK crisp packets aren’t part of household recylin’ collections. That’s as frustratin’ to us as to you, no doubt. We hope that things change. In the meantime we reckon the enjoyment of a decent chip is worth the little bit of effort it takes to save up your soft plastic recyclin’ and drop it off somewhere they’ll take care of it for you. You can find your closest spot at recyclenow.com
Drop off your empty Burts bags at your local recyclin’ point and give ‘em a second life- better than lettin’ them end up in the wrong place, eh?
Find your nearest crisp packet recyclin’ spot by clicking the button below.
We like our spuds to come from close by, with most of our farmers bein’ in the West Country and most of our taters grown in either Cornwall or Somerset – they do grow ’em proper tasty down this way after all. And ’cause we batch cook you’ll find the name of the grower who grew the spuds in your pack printed on the back.
All the farms are red tractor-approved, which means you know it’s been farmed with care and assured to very strict standards.
You can read about our potato farmers here.
We also use some clever tech to measure the carbon footprints of the potatoes we source. We track them from seeds to delivery to us. The tech we use means we’re able to do this without addin’ lots of work to our farmer’s already busy schedule.
We’ve got a lot cookin’ that’ means we’re at Zero to Landfill at our chippin’ sites:
Our used fryin’ oil is turned into biodiesel.
Any unseasoned chips that don’t make the grade get turned into a special high-quality animal feed by the clever folks at SugaRich.
Other food waste goes to an Anearobic Digister to be turned into biogas.
Post-consumer recycled (PCR) material refers to plastic that has reached the end of its intended use and is generated by households, commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities as end-users. This material is collected and processed, and a part of it undergoes chemical recycling to be transformed into new plastic, closing the loop for circularity. Polymers from chemical recycling retain the same properties as virgin polymers, ensuring high-quality materials for new applications.
PCR packaging is made from plastic that has been recycled after it has been used by consumers. This means the plastic has already gone through a recycling process, and it is repurposed into new products, including packaging materials. By using PCR plastic, companies help reduce the demand for new plastic production, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Using PCR plastic reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or oceans, helping to combat pollution. It also reduces the need for new plastic production, which cuts down on energy consumption and lowers carbon emissions. By choosing PCR packaging, you are supporting a circular economy that keeps plastic in use for longer periods.
Yes, our new PCR packaging can be recycled. Recycling capabilities can vary by region; however, you can recycle packs at large supermarkets. You will be able to find out more information about recycling our crisp packets via the on-pack recycling label (OPRL).
By using PCR plastic, it helps us reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or, worse, the ocean, which is a crucial step in addressing the growing plastic pollution crisis. Using PCR plastic also helps create a circular economy, where materials are reused, recycled, and kept in circulation, rather than being disposed of after a single use. PCR plastic typically has a lower carbon footprint than virgin plastic, as it reduces the need for extracting and processing new raw materials (like petroleum). This process also saves our overall energy usage, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The new packaging will not affect the taste of our crisps you know and love.
Food packaging made from PCR plastic must comply with stringent safety regulations set by authorities like the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). These standards ensure that recycled plastics are safe for contact with food and do not release harmful substances or alter the taste of food. During the recycling process, PCR plastic is cleaned, sterilised, and tested to meet these standards, which reduces the risk of contamination that could impact food flavour or safety.”
Want to know more about our sustainability efforts? Need more info? Look no further.