The film & TV industry is not the only one shooting plastic packaging around.
Whether for a birthday party, a wedding or a Deliveroo collection, traditional single-use plastic is still the staple for the packaging used by the food service distributors as well.
In this post, we’ll look at the plastic pollution delivered by the food catering services and how to slim it down.
The true cost of food catering delivery
I’m sure you’re aware of the disposable plastic’s environmental impact .
But how bad is the hospitality and food service industry doing?
According to WRAP, restaurants produce 915,000 tonnes of food waste every year. When considering the whole industry, that amount beefs up to 3,415,000 tonnes of rubbish in the UK alone.
All this waste releases as much CO2 as that avoided by recycling nearly 800 million bags of trash.
Needless to say, single-use packaging is a key ingredient of this high-carbon recipe.
The situation got worse during the COVID pandemic. With the lockdown in place, online food service was a perfect backup plan for eateries. Also, being concerned about the virus spreading, restaurants owners chose disposable plastic as a safer option for their deliveries.
The side-effect of this?
A viral proliferation of single-use takeout containers and other packaging.
Even before the COVID outbreak, food catering services were already among the top polluters when considering single-use plastic packaging.
And a stinky future is looming ahead.
A recent study estimated that the annual carbon footprint of packaging used by the online food service will increase by 132% by 2024.
Catering for a solution to the food service plastic pollution
So, how can your food service company reduce its plastic input into the environment?
You should invest in more sustainable alternatives, which are literally springing up like mushrooms.
This is not only good for the planet but also for your revenues.
The demand for eco-friendly products keeps rising, with 74% of people willing to pay extra for sustainable packaging.
Also, 80% of UK consumers are ready to switch to greener firms, which shows sustainability is key for purchasing decisions.
To meet the Plastic Pact four targets by 2025, The UK government is investing £60 million on sustainable plastics. To contribute to that, UK businesses are expected to spend up to £149 million in climate-friendly packaging.
This is a tasty opportunity to make your company stand out and meet consumers’ needs. Opting for green packaging will inspire your current customer base and attract new clients.
Your company will thrive without costing the environment. A win-win situation.
But there are tons of options out there, so you want to stay away from greenwashing and uncompetitive prices…
Simply Stem to the (food service) rescue
If you don’t know what to choose from or whether you can improve your current packaging, don’t panic.
Hungry for sustainable packaging solutions, Simply Stem is providing a range of reusable and compostable food service equipment to minimise your carbon footprint.
Cutlery, plates, food containers, cups. You name it. We have it.
On top of that, as a food service consultant, we provide you with plenty of information[AS3] that will help you make an eco-conscious choice.
