Volunteers lead war on waste turning crisp packets into blankets

A growing collective of volunteers from local organisations is bringing together communities, businesses, public services and residents to transform everyday waste into practical support for people experiencing homelessness.

The Crisp Packet Project is a community-led sustainability initiative that collects used crisp packets and other suitable plastic materials that would otherwise be thrown away.

Volunteers wash, dry, trim and iron the packets together to create insulated sheets, which are then made into sleeping bags and warming blankets for homeless and vulnerable people in the local area.

The completed blankets and sleeping bags are donated to Looking After The Homeless (LATH), a Crewe-based community organisation that supports homeless and vulnerable individuals.

The project is driven by a passionate collective of volunteers who give their time alongside their day jobs across a range of organisations including the NHS, Bentley Motors and Lloyds Banking Group.

Together, they have established crisp packet donation stations within their workplaces, encouraging colleagues to contribute materials that can be reused rather than discarded.

What began as a simple recycling idea has grown into a powerful example of organisations and communities coming together with a shared purpose – reducing waste, supporting vulnerable people and creating positive change through collective action.

The initiative demonstrates how environmental sustainability can deliver real social impact. It offers flexible opportunities for people to get involved, whether by collecting crisp packets, preparing materials at home, attending community making sessions or helping to raise awareness of the project.

Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council is now working in partnership with the project to help expand the initiative across the village, encouraging wider community involvement and support from local residents, schools and community groups.

And support for the project continues to grow.

Children at Shavington Primary School have joined the effort by collecting and saving crisp packets, helping to promote recycling, sustainability and community spirit among younger generations.

By working together, volunteers, local businesses, NHS colleagues, schools, community groups, parish organisations and residents are creating a growing movement that turns everyday waste into something useful and life-changing for people most in need.

Sara Randle, Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council Community Manager, said: “I was excited to hear about the project and knew the Shavington-cum-Gresty community would get behind it. It is fantastic to see so many people supporting the initiative, and it is especially great to have Shavington Primary School involved as well.

“The Crisp Packet Project shows what can be achieved when communities work together to support both the environment and vulnerable people in need.”

A spokesman for LATH said: “We have found the crisp packet sleeping bags particularly useful for longer term homeless and particularly when the weather is at its worst.

“They keep the homeless warm and dry, something we have struggled to do with tents or normal sleeping bags. They have been a great addition to our provisions for the homeless”

Learn more about the project and discover how you can become part of a growing community effort that is reducing waste, supporting people experiencing homelessness and making a positive difference.

Join them tonight at Wellbeing Wednesday 7pm at Shavington-cum-Gresty Village Hall.