Walkers rolls-out ‘bagless’ multipacks for Snack A Jacks in new trial

Packs of Snack A Jacks will now use 86% less plastic on their outer packaging than the previous multipack design. This move follows a £2 million investment into new equipment to enhance reduced plastic packaging capabilities at Walkers’​​ Skelmersdale site in Lancashire where the snacks are made. 

The new ‘bagless’ multipack is made from a tape-like strip, which holds together five individual packets of Snack A Jacks and will be available to buy exclusively at Tesco stores across the UK in three flavours: Salt & Vinegar, Sour Cream & Chive, and BBQ. 

The outer tape, as well as the individual packets, qualify as 'officially recyclable' under the UK On-Pack Recycling Label Scheme (OPRL) and can be recycled at flexible packaging collection points in supermarkets across the UK.

“Our new bagless multipack design is an innovative example of the solutions we’re exploring to reduce virgin fossil plastic use across our portfolio. We’re looking forward to assessing this new format as part of our commitment to creating a world where packaging never becomes waste," ​commented Gareth Callan, packaging sustainability lead, PepsiCo UK & Ireland.

This latest roll-out marks Walkers’ third major sustainable packaging trial with Tesco in recent months, after the two companies trialled a new cardboard design​​ on Walkers multipacks to replace its outer plastic packaging, and piloted paper-based outer packaging earlier this year for Walkers Baked multipacks.

Across PepsiCo Europe, the company also plans to eliminate virgin fossil-based plastic in crisp and snack bags by 2030. This ambition will apply to UK brands including Snack A Jacks, Walkers, Doritos, Quavers, Wotsits, and Pipers, and will be delivered by using 100% recycled or renewable content.

Read our round-up of new launches and trends to enter the food and beverage packaging​​ sector.