United Biscuits announces UK’s first biscuit wrapper recycling scheme

United Biscuits and TerraCycle have announced the launch of the UK’s first biscuit wrapper recycling scheme.

United Biscuits, the manufacturer of McVitie’s, has teamed up with post-consumer recycling company TerraCycle UK to launch the McVitie’s Biscuit Wrapper Brigade, a recycling and fundraising scheme that hopes to divert biscuit wrappers from UK landfill sites.

The scheme kicks off today (18 June) and encourages consumers to send their used biscuit wrappers (of any brand) to TerraCycle UK to help reduce waste and raise funds for the charity of their choice. Pre-paid Royal Mail labels can be downloaded for free from the TerraCycle website.

Biscuit wrappers are recyclable, but as few councils offer kerbside collection of mixed plastic films, billions of biscuit wrappers are sent to landfill every year. The McVitie’s Biscuit Wrapper Brigade will recycle all wrappers sent to TerraCycle into everyday products such as watering cans, garden benches and waste bins.

Consumers who send in over 0.32 kilogrammes (kg) of wrappers (approximately 100 wrappers) will also be rewarded with two TerraCycle points for every wrapper sent in (one point is the equivalent of one pence), which can be contributed to a school, charity or not-for-profit organisation of their choice, paid by TerraCycle by cheque every six months. Shipments weighing less than 0.32 kg will not receive any points, but will still be recycled.

Vicki Gregory, Marketing Controller for McVitie’s, welcomed the launch of the Wrapper Brigade, saying: “United Biscuits is delighted to be able to offer consumers a solution that allows them, for the first time in the UK, to recycle biscuit wrappers. This innovative scheme not only ensures that biscuit wrappers are reused, it also helps to protect the environment whilst helping the public to raise funds for their favourite charity.”

Gregory went on to encourage retailers to take part in the scheme too: “We are encouraging retailers and consumers across the UK, who love biscuits, to set up a collection point and help us to save as many biscuit wrappers from landfill as possible, making a difference to both their local environment and raising money for worthy causes."

Chris Baker, General Manager of TerraCycle UK, added:  “We are delighted that such an iconic brand as McVitie’s is partnering with us to take ownership of what happens to used biscuit wrappers in the UK. With McVitie’s support we are confident that we can reach people across the UK and encourage them to work with us to make a real difference!”

To get involved with the McVitie’s Biscuit Wrapper Brigade, register for free at TerraCycle’s website.