JCI Mayo recycle crisp packets to make sleeping bags for homeless
STOCKING up on crisps for the festive season? A local voluntary organisation asks that you don’t let them go to waste but instead collect them for a life-saving project.
JCI Mayo have partnered with an excellent initiative, where they aim to use your clean, foil-lined crisp packets and make them into either survival blankets or bivy bags for homeless people in Ireland.
The Crisp Packet Project originated in the UK, and two ladies from Roscommon, Karen Burke and Jackie Gunning, saw the need for it in Ireland too.
It takes 75 crisp packets to make one of the survival blankets and 150 bags to make the sleeping bags. The foil lining reflects heat back into the body, while the strong materials in the crisp packet, plus the plastic fused on to the packets, makes this a supple, strong, long lasting material.
The blankets will then be given to vulnerable people who are living on the streets so that this winter they have something warm for sleeping.
It’s important to note that it isn’t limited to just Tayto - any clean, foil-lined packet will work.
When JCI Mayo heard about this initiative they wanted to get involved and they are encouraging as many people as possible to help them, so they can help others. A small simple act like collecting and cleaning crisp packets can create something positive for those who this Christmas don’t have somewhere to call home.
“This is such a great project, especially at this time of year when everyone will be indulging in the extra few bags of crisps! By donating them you are recycling and helping our homeless and rescue services, so it really is a win win,” says Deborah McHugh, the 2020 JCI Mayo director of community.
She made a plea for people to do their bit to help this initiative: “Please spread the word and gather them empty packets over the next few weeks.”
Sharing a short video on the JCI Mayo Facebook page on how to cut and clean the crisp packets, they encourage everyone to build up a few packets and then leave them into the box inside the door of Demure Beauty in Castlebar. As this collection point might not suit people from other areas of Mayo, they invite people to get in touch with them regarding further collections.
They will continue to keep the collection open until January 8 so there will be time for people to drop off their donations after the festive season. The more support they receive, the greater the impact will be for the less fortunate in our society.
So what’ll you do the next time you eat a bag of crisps?
For queries and up to date information, see the JCI Mayo social media pages.
https://www.facebook.com/jcimayo