Volunteers in Cardiff have brought The Crisp Packet Project to the city for the first time
DISCARDED crisp packets are being ironed together to make emergency foil blankets for homeless people in Cardiff this winter.
The Crisp Packet Project (CPP) is a nationwide scheme that sees volunteers collect crisp packets from litter picks or collection boxes to make reflective blankets that insulate heat.
The project is now active in Cardiff for the first time thanks to Danielle John, 43, from Cyfle Cymru, a mentoring scheme which helps people back into work after issues with substance abuse or mental health. And it is proving popular.
“I’m actually quite shocked how it was spreading, but it is lovely that it is spreading because loads of people want to get involved,” said Miss John.
“I’ve had messages from members of the public asking if they can make some blankets and get involved.
“A factory in Pontyclun has seen my posts from a couple weeks ago and they’ve been saving crisp packets, and they’re keeping collecting them until next month.
“Some of our volunteers who have children have got their schools involved, so we’re making them a box on Monday so she can take it to the school.
“We’re really passionate about the impact this project has on our community, especially as winter approaches.”
How many crisp packets make a blanket?
The blankets are made by collecting and washing crisp packets, before ironing them together.
They are then ironed onto a clear recycled plastic sheet. It takes around 75 crisp packets to make a survival blanket.
Mirus Wales, a non-profit support group for disabled people, got involved after a Facebook post by Miss John was spotted by Mark Griffiths, a Community Network Coordinator.
“That’s something we could get involved with because some of the people who we support have friends that are homeless, and there are people who are homeless who have learning disabilities,” said Mr Griffiths.
Mr Griffiths has distributed collection boxes in some of the Mirus Wales houses in Cardiff, the head office in Llanishen, the Bridgend office and even some places in the Brecon Beacons.
He works in a purpose-built independent living house comprising nine flats with 10 residents. Mr Griffiths says that “everyone wants to participate in it” and that the collection box was quickly filled.
“The only thing it doesn’t encourage is healthy eating,” he joked.
Pen Huston, the founder of the Crisp Packet Project, says it aims “to give new life, new purport, a new beginning to one use plastic waste.
“The Crisp Packet Project helps so many people in so many different ways, it really is one big ball of magic.”
CPP started in Hastings in 2019, and have created and sent out more than 6,000 items made from crisp packets and clear plastic waste.
CPP also makes informative videos and diagrams and gets involved in mentoring schemes such as the one at Cyfle Cymru.
Cyfle Cymru is holding a tutorial on blanket-making on November 26 at its Neville Street Office.
You can drop off crisp packets in Cardiff at 96-98 Neville Street or the CAVDAS building at 7 St Andrews Place.
For more information contact Danielle at Danielle.John@cyflecymru.org, or phone 0300 777 2256 or visit https://crisppacketproject.com.
