The UK’s fastest growing snack is being used to package and transport goods. Lush, a handmade cosmetics chain, has shunned traditional packaging materials such as shredded paper and polystyrene in favour of air-popped popcorn (The Guardian). Popcorn is not only 60% lighter than shredded paper, but it also reduces the need to individually wrap products – an idea that is estimated to save around 4.6m plastic bags per year. What’s more…once the package has been unpacked the popcorn pieces can be put into compost bins and will completely break down.

According to gov.uk we produce around 10m tonnes of packaging waste every year. This staggering figure has provoked new Waste Recovery and Recycling targets for 2013 to 2017, which will put many businesses under pressure. One of the best solutions to this problem is believed to be popcorn, a product which meets all of the necessary requirements for use as a packaging material and allows packaging producers to meet their obligations.

Although this is a relatively new concept, some UK popcorn manufacturers have already approached big name companies to offer their product for use as packaging. It looks like popcorn is set to take over more than just the UK savoury snacks market!

For a long while there have been discussions regarding the excessive use of plastic carrier bags in England. It is reported that more than 8 billion disposable bags are used in England every year. The problem is that the majority of these bags are used once and then end up in landfill sites, in the sea or littered across the country which has detrimental effects on our wildlife and their habitats.