Kellogg’s chips away at Pringles ‘unrecyclability’

The UK’s Recycling Association (RA) has welcomed a potential redesign of the iconic – but fundamentally unrecyclable – Pringles can for potato crisps as ‘a step in the right direction’.

It has been reported that Kellogg’s is testing out new packaging at a limited number of Tesco stores in eastern England. It is a can that is mostly paper but with the same plastic and metal foil lining. Two types of lids, one made from paper and one from plastic, are also being trialled.
In 2017, RA chief executive Simon Ellin said Pringles’ packaging was almost impossible to recycle due to its multi-material nature. Currently, Pringles cans are made of paper with the plastic and metal lining, a steel base and plastic cap.

Improvement

Ellin says: ‘It is great to see Kellogg’s taking a step in the right direction. To be fair to Kellogg’s, since I highlighted how difficult it is to recycle Pringles cans, they have been happy to engage to look at ways they can make their products more recyclable.’
He says the new version is a big improvement as it is much easier to recycle, with packaging needing to be based on as few materials as possible.
‘For us, the plastic lid has to be a big “no” because the lid needs to be made from the same material as the can in order to make it as recyclable as possible.

Credit where it is due

‘Also, we hope that Kellogg’s will investigate alternatives to the plastic and metal lining in the can, especially as technology is evolving to allow water soluble ones that are more suited to the paper pulping process.’
Ellin notes that, with the Confederation of Paper Industries and WRAP guidelines preferring plastic content to be no more than 5% of the pack weight, any efforts to remove or replace the plastic lining are welcomed.
‘But credit where it is due, this trial shows that Kellogg’s is looking to do the right thing and its aim to have its packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by the end of 2025 is a goal the RA is happy to help it achieve.’