Food packaging gets smart – and poses a recycling nightmare

Use of electronics in packaging is on the rise, raising questions about the recyclability of everyday products

In the run up to this year's Super Bowl, US snack company Frito-Lay launched a limited run of microchipped bags of tortilla chips, supposedly capable of sensing alcohol on a user's breath and, if instructed, calling them an Uber home.

It was a stunt to grab attention but the use of interactive, intelligent packaging is not a futuristic fantasy. Already, you can find olive oil and craft beers connected to the cloud and ready to report on their origins to any passing punter with a smartphone.