Pringles tubes to get new lease on life under ACE UK’s Bring Bank scheme

22-Mar-2021 - Last updated on 22-Mar-2021 at 12:55 GMT

Consumers are now able to recycle paper containers with metal ends like the iconic Pringles tube at Bring Bank bins found at 334 locations across the UK. Pic: GettyImages/eskaylim

According to Pringle maker Kellogg, the Bring Bank Scheme will allow fans of its potato chips to return the iconic tubes to be recycled into something new.

“We know that people want to recycle their Pringles tubes,” said Helen Potter, sustainability commercial lead for Pringles.

“Including a solution for Pringles in the Bring Banks scheme will allow our consumers to return them to be recycled into something new and is an important interim solution as we work towards the development of our new tube. At Kellogg, we’re committed to making all of our packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable by the end of 2025. This is another important step on this journey.”

The recycling of paper containers with metal ends like Pringles tubes has been made possible with the inking of a two-year agreement between Sonoco Consumer Products Europe and the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE UK).

Under the agreement, consumers will be able to recycle the tubes at ACE UK’s 334 Bring Bank recycling points across the UK. Bring Banks are the large green bins at recycling points found in locations such as supermarkets and retail centre car parks, household recycling centres and other public locations.

The tubes will be sent to ACE UK’s Stainland recycling facility in West Yorkshire, which is run by Sonoco Alcore. Fibre from the recycled cartons is fed directly into Sonoco Alcore’s paper mill on the same site, to be turned into industrial coreboard.

Continuous improvement on sustainability

“Consumers are increasingly aware of the need for more sustainable choices, which is the drive for many brands and retailers to increase the recyclability of their packaging,” said Peter Görlitz, sustainability manager at Sonoco Consumer Products Europe.

“This two-year agreement with the food and drink carton experts from ACE UK reflects our global initiative to commit to a continuous improvement on sustainability.

“We are constantly striving to enhance our capabilities in paper-based packaging with the required functional barrier properties to help extend the shelf life, whilst providing our customers in Europe with a recycling solution they can have full confidence in.”

Richard Hands, CEO of ACE UK, added, “ACE UK has been successfully running the industry’s recycling programme for the last 15 years, driving significant increases in carton recycling as part of its role as the UK’s food and drink carton industry trade body.

The association represents three leading UK manufacturers of beverage cartons, namely Elopak, SIG Combibloc and Tetra Pak. It is also supported by BillerudKorsnäs and Stora Enso, which produce about 98% of the paperboard used by ACE UK members throughout Europe.

“We have worked closely with local authorities and waste management companies so that today 93% of local authorities collect food and drink cartons for recycling through either Bring Banks or kerbside collection,” said Hands.

“Whilst our primary focus remains on increasing carton recycling, our Bring Bank network and the expertise and experience we have developed will deliver an immediate solution for Sonoco Europe’s paper containers with metal ends, helping to create a step change in recycling for these products.”