We are driving a circular economy and want to help customers choose between recyclable and compostable food-to-go packaging… both of these options reduce environmental impact, but which is better? 48% of people are often confused about which packaging materials are better for the environment*, so in this blog we explain the sustainable aspects of the packaging we offer.

 

Hot food packaging

Foil containers (21890, 21888, 21892) are great to use for wet hot foods as they retain heat well. Foil is one of the first packaging materials used for takeaway, it’s 100% recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without loss of quality.

 

 

Bio Boxes (08603, 99214, 92006) are very versatile, suitable for hot and cold food, they can be used with most styles of dish and are even a great choice for serving sweet treats such as cake slices and muffins.

These boxes have reduced environmental impact as they have a water based grease and water resistant coating, which means that they are also great for foods containing liquid. They are made out of recycled material and are both recyclable and commercially compostable.

 

 

For those dishes where you want the food to be visible, Stagione (13082, 13254, 13255) takeaway containers are the perfect option.

They are leakproof and have a great heat retention for delivery. For cold food use the clear lid and for hot food use the kraft lid. Not only are they made out of FSC® board they are also recyclable under OPRL guidelines meaning you can put them in your mixed recycling bin at home.

 

 

Bagasse (24929, 32908, 09646) packaging are brilliant to use for various types of dishes and an excellent substitute for polystyrene foam which currently hasn’t got a viable recycling stream.

They come in various sizes from lidded compartments for easy transportation to trays and burger boxes. For the eco-conscious they are made out of a bi-product of the sugarcane industry. Bagasse can be recycled and is industrially compostable.

 

 

Cold food packaging

Plastic has had a lot of bad press and with the plastic tax coming into effect from April you may feel that it is a material we should be avoiding. But not all plastic is bad for the environment. For example Fresco Plastic Bowls (07684, 42614, 42613) are great to use for salads and other cold dishes and are made using 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material.

PCR is material derived from items such as bottles, pots and trays which have been used and recycled by a consumer in a previous life. These products are then fully recyclable back into food packaging again and again, in a truly circular system.

These bowls are also made in the UK, using 100% renewable energy. And as these containers contain more than 30% recycled plastic content, it means that they are also exempt from plastic tax.

 

 

If you are after a compostable option then look for pots made out of PLA, which is a renewable material made from plants. These strong and light deli pots range from 8oz to 24oz’s and have either hinged or separate lids (62888, 44380) .

Looking for something that is made out of cardboard? Then why not choose a kraft board box with a greasproof lining and a clear window made from PLA (39697).

 

 

And don’t forget to hand out cutlery! There are now several sustainable choices to choose from; PLA, wooden and the newest development which is paper cutlery.

 

 

 

These are just some of the options! To help you understand more about the sustainable features of our products, whether that is using recyclable or compostable products, take a look at the new Sustainable Food-To-Go Packaging Solutions Guide.

 

Hungry for more? Read more of our related blogs here:

What is the next generation of food packaging? 

5 examples of innovative products with sustainable features

5 handy tips to reduce your plastic usage

How to clean green – what does it actually mean?

Can you recycle paper cups?

10 easy tips to be more sustainable