A binman gave guidance on disposing of crisp packets and chocolate wrappers. The UK eats over 8 billion crisp packets yearly, and this will increase to 11 billion by 2030. This is over 30 million packets daily.

The UK consumes a lot of chocolate, using many wrappers. However, recycling food packaging is not straightforward for crisp and chocolate wrappers.

Crisp and chocolate packets have multiple layers and are made from polypropylene or polyethylene with aluminium. This is known as 'soft plastics'. Most local authorities recycle hard plastics, but not soft plastics. WRAP says changes are needed for widespread recycling of plastic bags and wrappings.

A famous refuse collector, The No1 Binman, explained what to do with crisp and chocolate packets.

The No1 Binman said they do not go in recycling bins. Crisp packets can be recycled at supermarkets. Most supermarkets take them, but you need to take them there. You can also put them in your general waste bin.

If you want to recycle crisp packets, put them in supermarket bins. It's the same for chocolate wrappers, as they are thin plastic made from different materials. Otherwise, put them in your general waste bin.

In 2023, old crisp packets from the 1960s were found on a Norfolk beach, showing how long plastics last. The packets included old Golden Wonder crisps and Spangles sweets.