Thinking Less Plastic : Surge Of 'Paper Bag' Chips On It's Way To Us ?
The spicy and tangy connection of Indian parties with store-bought potato chips is the "forever-after" romance fans can always count on; friends, families, and partners may come and go, but the love for chips remains. The market's valuation of Rs 9,000 crores and growing clearly shows India's immense appetite for chips. However, this translates to millions of kilograms of unrecyclable plastic debris, inevitably returning to our bodies as microplastics, affecting our blood, liver, and lungs. What is About To Get Addressed? To address this problem and fulfill a request that has been made for decades by the largest FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) producers, British Crisp Co. of the UK has launched the first-ever recyclable paper chip bag. This creative packaging is completely recyclable through curbside programs since it makes use of Hydropol, a water-soluble and biodegradable polymer that replaces plastic. "Brits consume over eight billion packets of crisps each year, the majority of which are not recyclable and end up in landfill or incinerators — that’s a lot of waste and a huge environmental problem," said Tom Lock, chief executive officer of The British Crisp Co. The firm that makes Hydropol, Aquapak, claims that the main component of its packaging is a plastic substitute that is appealing because it is durable, stable, and resistant to a variety of substances, including oils, greases, fats, and oils. Crucially, Hydropol is non-toxic and marine-safe, meaning that if it is released into the environment, it will decay without leaving a trace and won't break down into dangerous microplastics. But what's amazing about it is that it can be composted, recycled, re-pulped, and even decomposed in anaerobic settings. A tiny layer of aluminum is added to keep the product fresh, but this does not affect how recyclable it is. It could even be donated to a paper recycling facility! "This is a huge opportunity for brands and producers who now have a viable, functional, and recyclable alternative that enables full fibre recovery in a standard paper recycling process," told Packaging World Mark Lapping, CEO of Aquapak. Dishwasher tablets, pet food bags, and heat-sealable paper mailer bags are just a few of the goods that now employ the material, which the company claims is the same price as current bags. The British Crisp Co. intends to introduce these novel bags in stores, pubs, hotels, and coffee shops throughout the United Kingdom, beginning with their most well-liked flavors: cheese and onion, sea salt, and salt and vinegar. With its scalable, environmentally beneficial solution for the snack sector and beyond, this effort represents a significant step in the right direction toward eliminating plastic pollution. It's Our Responsibility ~ To be More Responsive! (Source: Google Images) What's There To Seek For Present Times ~ India has a well-established history of grappling with the plastic crisis. India came in third place globally in 2019 for the production of single-use plastic garbage, according to the Plastic Garbage Makers Index. Many experts have expressed displeasure with the implementation of the ban on the manufacture and use of single-use plastic items, despite numerous attempts to do so. Clogged sewers, landfills, and rivers will remain a widespread issue in the nation until the primary manufacturers of such garbage take note and take action. The British Crisp Co.'s action fits into a larger pattern of environmentally friendly packaging. Airlines are reevaluating in-flight service materials, and resorts are doing away with single-use plastics as part of an international effort to lessen plastic pollution. These coordinated efforts address the pressing need to reduce plastic pollution and its environmental impact, something that Indian manufacturers must immediately take into account. They also demonstrate the notable trend towards sustainability in several industries. “There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.” – Annie Leonard, executive director of Greenpeace USA.
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