Litter

At first glance, it seems like an improvement: where chips used to come in shiny plastic bags with an aluminum lining, Lay’s has now introduced a new tube. The outside is made of cardboard — proudly stated on the front of the packaging. Their website even claims the packaging can go in the paper bin. The inside, however, still gleams like foil. It feels… more sustainable? Greener? As if you’re doing the right thing by neatly tossing it in the paper or recycling bin. But is that feeling justified? The front reads “New recyclable with paper.” So what does that actually mean? It creates the illusion that it’s easier to recycle — and that’s exactly where it goes wrong. This new cardboard chip tube is not recyclable. In fact, in several ways, the new packaging creates more waste, more confusion, and bigger problems in public spaces. Here’s why. Why can’t