PACKAGING
Compostable packaging: a vital solution Vegware is at the forefront of foodservice recycling – and the business has invaluable advice around end-of-life innovation.
BIG PICTURE The future of sustainable packaging is no longer solely about packaging, but end-of-life solutions. The way we approach both needs to be holistic. We must think beyond function, considering its implications and what we have at our disposal. In a foodservice context, residue complicates dry mixed recycling. A decade of conversations with waste professionals tells us that foodcontaminated packaging is very unlikely to be recycled. Many look for a silver bullet when it comes to the sustainable hinterland. The critical thing with all packaging options – recyclable, compostable or reusable – is understanding the right applications. All will prove to be useful in the future of sustainable packaging. The task is knowing how to maximise the potential of each tool. Vegware was founded in 2006 to advocate for plant-based and compostable packaging, highlighting its potential in diverting waste from landfill or incineration. Compostable packaging can help businesses looking to find circular solutions.
GROWING INFRASTRUCTURE We have taken on the mantle in providing end-of-life solutions for products. Our in-house team of four waste management consultants have been working with the sector since 2011. Their progress has been instrumental in setting up compostable packaging collections. Businesses can now access regular collections in over 40 of the UK’s largest towns and cities. We help some clients set up dedicated collections, use UK-wide post-back services or invest in on-site composting units. As well as working with the waste sector, Vegware runs its own collections in Central Belt Scotland called Close the Loop. In 2023, we took 10,000 wheelie bins of used Vegware and food waste to industrial composting. In just over a decade, we have proven how compostables can work and advocated for a rethink in approach. There is public support for this too. A YouGov survey of UK adults showed that 89% supported councils being required to collect all recyclable or compostable packaging from households.