At Plastic Free Home, we’re huge admirers of Herefordshire-based Two Farmers Crisps. Firstly, as they’re delicious, but more importantly because this small British company has beaten leading players like (PepsiCo owned) Walkers, who churn out 11 MILLION plastic crisp bags EVERY day and are still just ‘trying’ to tackle the plastic problem, to market with home compostable packaging. A David and Goliath scenario.
Walkers currently say: “At the moment, the packaging we use is the best way to keep our crisps crunchy and delicious. However, we’re aiming to make all our packaging 100% recyclable, compostable or biodegradable by 2025. In the meantime, we’ve partnered with recyclers TerraCycle to make it easier to recycle our crisp packets and reduce the impact we have on the environment.”
Yes, seven years from now.
Director Mark Green, a second generation potato farmer, explains how the business came to life: “Truly passionate about the Herefordshire countryside that has enabled us to grow award-winning potatoes, we (with co-founder Sean Mason, a farmer and potato merchant) met one night for a pint of local beer and a packet of crisps. That night the Two Farmers brand was born. It took three years to develop the idea; we spent a lot of time trying to find the right zero plastic packaging. This was our main focus and biggest challenge.”
Green continues: “Two Farmers is the UK’s first 100% compostable and plastic free crisp brand. As farmers, our mission is to work hand in hand with nature. We are proud to be making the change that is needed to protect our countryside for generations to come. Our aim is to close the loop with our sustainable production methods and compostable packets that will return to the earth in just six months.”
Two Farmers’ packets are ten times more expensive to produce according to Green, reflected somewhat in the price of the brand’s crisps, at around £1 per 40g bag (a standard packet from most leading brands being 25g). But for that price, you can have British grown and made, delicious crisps (lightly salted, salt & cider vinegar, Hereford bullshot or Hereford hot cheese and onion flavours) delivered to your door. Their crisps contain no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives, are suitable for vegans and Gluten free.
Green adds: “Our compostable packaging is derived from sustainable eucalyptus pulp, plant-based foil and biodegradable ink. Either put a used packet on your home compost or in your food waste bin (check locally). In independent tests, our packs will compost in just six months in a home composting unit and in industrial composting in less than 12 Weeks.”
Two Farmers tell us that they’re working on a number of new ideas and on having a fleet of vehicles powered by the company’s own renewable energy. 150g bags are also coming soon. Yum!
Visit www.twofarmers.co.uk to order and for more information.
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