East Grinstead businessman launches recyclable paper crisp packet

Tom Lock has spent three years working on a way to keep crisps fresh in paper packaging that can be recycled in the same way as newspaper.  

More than eight billion crisp packets are currently sold every year in the UK, the majority of which end up in landfill - with each packet capable of remaining intact in the environment for up to 33 years.

Tom wanted to tackle this problem.

The 34-year-old entrepreneur from East Grinstead, founder of The British Crisp Co, began his working life on the meat counter at Waitrose where he developed his pork snacks - Awfully Posh Pork Crackling – which soon appeared on the shelves of the supermarket he used to work for.  

Despite many challenges and setbacks, he now produces a wide range of snacks from crisps to popcorn.

• READ MORE: Nightclub to be open during the day this spring and summer

His new crisp packaging is OPRL accredited which means the bags can display the green “Recycle” logo with the words  “I’m Paper, Recycle Me” to encourage customers to do just that.

The crisps in their recyclable packing (Image: The British Snack Co.)

Tom said: “At The British Crisp Co we believe in more than just great taste and high-quality ingredients – we’re passionate about sustainability. That’s why we are delighted to be the world’s first crisp brand to bring to market a fully recyclable paper pack.

“In addition, we make our crisps on a UK farm that not only grows its own potatoes but is powered by renewable energy.”

The new range of crisps will be launching in the coming months across shops, pubs, hotels and coffee shops across the UK and will include the three most popular flavours of crisps: sea salt, salt and vinegar and cheese and onion.

The crisp bags have been developed in the UK in partnership with Evopak, a manufacturer of sustainable paper-based flexible packaging.

Daniel McAlister, operations director at Evopak, said: “We have developed a unique packaging material which has the potential to revolutionise packaging as we know it.  The paper can be used in a range of applications from snacks and confectionary, to petcare and dry foods and cereals.”