Bullseye Food Packaging: Switch to sustainable packaging

Sustainable food packaging is now a ‘call to arms’ across the food sector, with ESGs neatly aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UK Government's 2050 Net Zero Targets. For many, The Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) proved a defining moment, with enforced taxes now on imported or manufactured plastic that doesn’t contain at least 30% recycled plastic.

Switching from plastic to paper/fibre-based packaging Making the switch has never been easy. Bullseye Food Packaging is a market leader in sustainable meal packaging, driven by a passion to become ‘products of choice’ for farmers’ markets, butchers, cafes, delis, food manufacturers and takeaway outlets around the country and further afield. The Solihull-based, familyrun business was established in 2009 by founder Peter Prior and prides itself on an innovative product portfolio including its flagship product: film-sealable fibre-based ready meal trays. Customers receive free delivery on orders over £100, next-day delivery and a 10% discount on their first order.

Reasons to make the switch

There are numerous fiscal and environmental benefits enshrined with switching to paper pulp/plant fibre-based packaging from Bullseye Food Packaging:

● Enhanced Safety – paper/fibre-based packaging remains robust when heated or frozen. There are no sharp edges (unlike foil/plastic) and can be removed with bare hands from the oven

● Green product – sustainably sourced paper/plant fibre packaging, which lowers transportation scope 3 emissions and costs due to its lightweight properties. The ready meal trays are recyclable or compostable, providing a complete green product life cycle.

● Flexibility – the FMCG is built on flexibility and this packaging is built for microwaves, conventional ovens and frozen temperatures down to -40°C; perfect for food on the go or for serving later.

● No leakage/spillage – food trays have interior liners, preventing spillage and contamination.

● Portion control – Compartmentalised trays ensure controlled portion sizes – ideal for replacing a traditional helpyourself ‘buffet-style’ operation.

Spotlight on Bullseye Food Packaging: family values, global outlook

The family-run business started by supplying the care sector, namely the ‘meals on wheel’ industry. At first, the ‘safety’ aspect of the packaging was the main driver but over time, this was superseded by the push towards sustainability.

As Alex Prior, Sales & Marketing Director explains, “We now work with a diverse range of sectors including high-street delis and, independent cafes, through to farmers, butchers and large food manufacturers. We offer a wide range of meal packaging systems and everyday consumables such as napkins, wooden cutlery and cups; for some businesses, having a single source of supply streamlines operations.

“We’re making a difference globally too; our innovative approach to food packaging has enabled us to supply sustainable multicompartment meal trays to hard-working miners operating in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. They can now enjoy a hot meal, delivered to them at their place of work, rather than having to be bussed back and forth between central canteens, improving not just the workers’ satisfaction with their meals, but also efficiency on site.”

Embracing an inclusive approach incentivised top celebrity chef Praveen Kumar to approach Bullseye to package his range of high-quality, restaurant-standard Indian meals. “We happily obliged and worked with him as his business grew from a home-based operation to a fully-realised high-capacity kitchen, modifying the production process as required and upgrading his sealing machinery to account for his business growth.”

Exciting new product launch

Towards the end of this year, Bullseye Food Packaging will be launching a range of new, fully sustainable food trays, designed for fresh meat from the butchers. They are made from sugarcane and bamboo fibre, and will replace traditional plastic and polystyrene trays, offering a vast improvement in quality and sustainability. They are home compostable and recyclable, and are even available with a homecompostable absorbent pad, for use with highmoisture products.

“We are really excited about this launch,” says Alex. “Behind the scenes, we have been working with longstanding, high-profile client: Aubrey Allen. Renowned for the finest meat, cheese and produce, the Royal Warrant holders supply to the Royal Household amongst other distinguished guests. Aubrey Allen have been using these new food trays for some time and have remarked on the robust properties of the products and improvement in customer satisfaction. We will be marketing these new trays across the country in the coming months, alongside a fully compostable clingfilm wrap. We will be exhibiting at the Farm Shop & Deli Show at the NEC in April 2025, where you can see these new products for yourselves, or please contact us for samples and more information.”

Looking to the future

Bullseye Food Packaging is driving sustainability across the food packaging sector, in anticipation of a switch from plastic and foil to fibre-based packaging.

“It’s inevitable really. Fibre-based materials will become the default product of choice before long. The FMCG sector in particular is being driven by consumer-led action on sustainability best practice. It’s not just a trend or knee-jerk reaction, this has been a clear shift in consciousness: we need to be using regenerative packaging that is sustainably sourced. Consumers are now willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, signalling a green light to the food packaging industry.”

Make the shift today: chat to Bullseye Food Packaging about:

● Fibre-based film-sealable meal trays

● Fibre-based fresh produce trays

● Paper-based takeaway meal packaging

● Bagasse/sugarcane/ takeaway meal packaging

● Everyday consumables such as cups, straws and napkins

See Bullseye Food Packaging at the Farm Shop & Deli Show 2025: 7th-9th April, NEC Birmingham

To find out more, click here: www.bfpuk.com or contact: info@bfpuk.com