Power in your pound

Firstly, I’ll ask you to cast your minds back to March 2020, before you switch off…. this isn’t a blog post about COVID-19.

March 2020, the world needed, amongst toilet roll; hand sanitizers and masks. Suddenly there was a shortage of these items that previously took up minimal space on shop shelves if at all.

What happened next is very important to the point I’m trying to make.

People wanted it, they needed it, they did anything to get their hands on it even smash the sanitizer spots in hospitals off the wall to steal it. Make masks from anything they could, I even saw someone go into a shop wearing an old Halloween mask, we were desperate, and scared.

The weeks went on, as did the demand, during which time big brands, small brands, unrelated brands and new brands popped up to provide everything we needed.

BrewDog begun making hand sanitiser at its distillery in Aberdeenshire, an American company went from making CBD products to making hand sanitizer, even a Car Polish company started making it.

What we see here is everyone jumping to supply to the demand.

Did it help? Yes.

Did it make them money? Yes

The World wanted it and needed it – It was provided, in MASSIVE amounts.

So, what am I getting at here?

The Planet needs to be saved, and we have to WANT it.

During my 3 day Earth Day challenge in April 2021, me and my daughter streamed live during a litter pick in our local area. I was a little surprised the amount of engagement this live session received as essentially it was my daughter with her litter picker and me with my phone in one hand and rubbish bag in the other chatting away.

The number one thing we picked up that day was crisp packets. Upon realising this I shared the fact that compostable crisp packets do exist. Now rather than just suggest the brands we’ve had and tried, I decided to point out that this technology and these compostable materials for the use of crisp packets exist. My next question, framed more as an encouragement, wasn’t “why don’t you choose those instead”, it was “why aren’t big brands using this?”

My first thought would be cost. At the end of the day, I’m not naïve, they are running an enormously huge business and from what I know so far about huge companies like Walkers, they care about money, not people or the environment.

A quick hop, skip and a jump/search on their website states:

“We understand the responsibility we have to reduce the impact of our packaging on the environment, and we’re on it!

At the moment, the packaging we use is the best way to keep our crisps crunchy and delicious. However, we’re aiming to make all our packaging 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable by 2025”

I continue to scroll through the Q&A part of the website to find the answer to my next question, “Why Not NOW?” There isn’t an answer and although there’s a section labelled “Can’t find your answer here? We can’t wait to hear from you!” and I wouldn’t want to keep them waiting…

Here is my sent request:

Good Afternoon,

I would like to request more information regarding your sustainability and environmental promises as stated on your website:

“we’re aiming to make all our packaging 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable by 2025”

Could you clarify how this process is progressing and why not an earlier target date?

The technology and materials for compostable crisp packets exists so to suggest it could take till 2025 to achieve doesn’t quite make sense to me.

I really do look forward to your reply via email as someone extremely passionate about the unnecessary and avoidable impacts on our environment.

Kind Regards,

Mrs J Clough

When/If I get a reply, I’ll be sure to keep you updated as I always do.

If Walkers, or any companies see trends that could skyrocket or even reduce their profits they have to act. For example, if the consumers of the 6 billion packets of crisps consumed each year in the UK bought brands of crisps in compostable packaging, what do you think these big companies would do?

I bet they wouldn’t wait till 2025 to make change….

Love, Light and Green Vibes,

Jodie

Don’t Forget to Share this Blog Post – It Really Helps Spread the Word!!!