Deliveroo x Sustainabl.

Deliveroo branded Sustainabl. packaging / Source: Sustainabl.

AsiaBambooFood & BeverageMoulded FibrePackagingPaperRefibr

3 MINUTE READ

Kaltrina Bylykbashi

WHAT WE SAY:

Leadership is about empowering others. Which is why we want to highlight this initiative from Deliveroo’s Hong Kong office, which gives one blueprint as to how larger companies can support the shift away from plastic.

Of course, given the hundreds of millions of plastic takeout containers Deliveroo and its fellow food delivery giants have encouraged, we would love to see them commit to a lot more action in this space. Reusables have to be a central part of the solutions versus anything single-use - but this is a welcome, if small, step.

KEY FACTS:

In Hong Kong, Deliveroo has partnered with Sustainabl., a Moulded fibre packaging provider, to help restaurants offer FSC-certified packaging.
The delivery company will pay for 50% of the sustainable packaging for smaller restaurants and 30% for larger chains, investing HKD 2 million (USD 255,000) in the six-month initiative.
Sustainbl. creates a range of food packaging made from sugarcane and wheat industry waste, recycled paper from managed forestry plantations and bamboo Paper from responsibly managed Bamboo plantations.

Deliveroo x Sustainabl. food packaging / Source: Sustainabl.

Sustainabl. aims to see a more sustainable F&B industry in Hong Kong / Source: Sustainabl.

DIVE DEEPER:

This initiative is part of a global push from Deliveroo. In 2021, 60 of its restaurant partners trialed reusable packaging in Paris, France. A similar scheme is also expected to roll out across other parts of France and London, England.
20 of Sustainabl.’s food packaging products were available under the subsidy scheme.
Sustainbl. uses Refibr pulp (bio-waste from sugarcane and wheat), FSC-certified paper and bamboo paper for its products.
All of Sustainbl.’s products are biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.
Sustainbl. only uses eco inks, which allow its packaging to decompose and only offers plastic-free products in its catalogue.

"...Our vision is to enable access [to] 'truly’ sustainable packaging...We have created cost-effective, functional solutions to stop [the use of] single-use plastics...reduce waste and carbon footprint[s]. We are thrilled to partner with Deliveroo on this..."

Richard Oliver - CEO, Sustainabl.

Key Design Considerations:

What feedstocks are being used?

Sustainabl. products are FSC-certified, however, it is not clear where the company sources or produces its Refibr. material. Additional insight into its supply chain will allow you to have confidence in the company’s working conditions and carbon footprint.

Can you go beyond half measures?

While it is great that Deliveroo is encouraging its restaurant partners to move away from plastic, we would love to see a company of its size (and guilty plastic-heavy track record) do even more. How can we reduce single-use anything and move to a more circular model with reusables?

Can you use data to sell material change?

On a similar note, could Deliveroo do more to help sell the benefits of using plastic-free packaging - highlighting to restaurants that 56% of customers want restaurants to show how they are making takeout more sustainable? As a designer, you need to help your team or clients understand how going plastic-free will be better for the business, as well as the world at large.