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What Consumers Really Want in Takeaway Packaging: Insights for Our Latest Survey
Eco Packaging Group

In today’s world, where environmental concerns drive every decision, our recent consumer survey reveals whether there is a growing appetite for sustainable packaging in the food service industry. Do consumers really care about eco-friendly takeaway containers and packaging? Our findings suggest they do.

How it Works

We conducted a consumer insight survey of men and women in the UK aged 18-99. Because everyone loves a good takeaway now and then. It also offers a balanced view of current trends and potential shifts in consumer behaviour across different generations.

We then asked about consumer opinions and preferences for takeaway packaging, as well as whether they consider ‘eco-friendliness’ when ordering takeaway food. Together, these questions paint a detailed picture of consumer priorities and expectations for their takeaway packaging.

Environmental Awareness of Takeaway Packaging

Our survey revealed interesting findings about how often consumers think about the environmental impact of their takeaway packaging. Around 49% of respondents always or often consider the eco-friendliness of food packaging when ordering takeout food, while 25% do so sometimes. This suggests that a large portion of takeaway customers are mindful of sustainability, though awareness levels vary.

Younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) show greater willingness to engage with eco-friendly practices compared to older age groups, reflecting broader societal trends. There are also regional differences, with consumers in cities being more aware of and taking action on environmental issues than those in rural communities. This is often due to better access to information and resources related to sustainability.

Preferred Types of Eco-Friendly Food Packaging

In our consumer study, 44% of survey respondents expressed a clear preference for both recycled and compostable materials, highlighting a strong inclination towards eco-friendliness. Meanwhile, 23% preferred exclusively recycled food packaging, while 12% preferred compostable ones. These choices reflect consumer expectations and awareness when it comes to eco-friendly food packaging options.

Recycled takeaway packaging is often seen as a more straightforward option due to its familiarity and the ease with which it can be integrated into existing recycling systems. Compostable packaging, on the other hand, can be more appealing to eco-conscious consumers seeking alternatives to recycled plastics. These customers are also more willing to pay a premium than those who prefer recycled plastics.

However, consumer concerns or misconceptions about eco-friendly packaging persist, often stemming from a lack of awareness. For example, many consumers don’t fully understand the differences between compostable and recyclable packaging. This means that even if consumers believe it is important to reduce single-use plastics, they may not be aware of which option is the best and how to dispose of them properly.

The Impact of Recycled Packaging on Consumer Behaviour

Our survey indicates that the use of recycled food packaging significantly influences consumer ordering behaviour—more than 68% of study participants responded that they would more likely order from a takeaway provider using recycled packaging. This finding suggests that customers have a strong preference for restaurants and takeaways that offer recycled packaging.

Eco-consumers may often view recycled packaging as a way to reduce their environmental impact. This creates a shared benefit: customers make eco-conscious choices while food businesses simultaneously reduce their carbon footprint.

For businesses, switching to recycled food packaging can be more impactful due to its direct visibility and immediate impact on consumer perception when compared to other sustainability practices such as carbon offset or food waste reduction. While these efforts are important, they are typically business-driven and occur behind the scenes. Recycled packaging offers a visible and tangible way for consumers to engage with a business’s sustainability initiatives.

Consumer Desire for Education on Packaging Disposal

In our survey, a significant 70% of UK consumers responded that they would be more likely to choose a takeaway provider that offers guidance on how to dispose of their food packaging. In contrast, around a quarter of survey respondents felt their choice would not be influenced by such educational efforts. Our findings highlight the growing consumer expectation for food businesses to play an active role in promoting sustainable practices.

This could include providing clear and simple disposal instructions and clearing up any confusion about different types of eco-friendly packaging. For example, terms such as ‘biodegradable,’ ‘compostable,’ and ‘recyclable’ are often used by businesses but frequently misunderstood by consumers, particularly regarding their proper disposal. Companies can address this issue by providing clear packaging information, including instructions on whether it should be composted, recycled, or discarded with other waste.

Compostable vs Recycled: Which Drives Consumer Decisions?

Around 50% of survey respondents expressed a preference for compostable packaging rather than recycled packaging, while the other half had a much more flexible attitude towards both eco-friendly packaging options. Both options have their merits.

Takeaway providers can cater to a broader audience by offering both compostable and recycled food packaging options. This approach serves a wide range of consumer preferences while also increasing overall customer satisfaction.

Eco-Packaging Choices for Takeaway Companies

Our survey results offer clear and useful guidance on how takeaway companies can prioritise their food packaging choices. An overwhelming 61% of respondents selected ‘recyclability’ as their top priority, indicating a strong consumer preference for recyclable food packaging materials.

Compostability was the second most important priority for consumers, with 25% favouring it. This indicates a strong interest in biodegradable alternatives to recycled plastic packaging. Durability was also a consideration for 11% of respondents, who want takeaway packaging that keeps food fresh and safe during transit.

Overall, our findings highlight the impacts and benefits of switching to eco-friendly packaging to meet the evolving tastes of UK consumers. Yet, making the switch isn’t just about being green; it’s also about finding the sweet spot between sustainability, business cost, and customer satisfaction. Here are our key recommendations for food and takeaway providers:

  • Offer a mix of compostable and recycled food packaging materials to cater to diverse consumer preferences. This approach not only caters to diverse consumer preferences but also helps manage costs without sacrificing your sustainability goals. Think about it—what better way to show your brand’s commitment to the environment than by diversifying your packaging options?
  • Prioritise clear education about disposal methods for maximising the effectiveness of eco-friendly packaging. Many consumers want to make planet-positive choices but often lack the necessary information to do so. Provide clear, straightforward labels to guide them on whether their packaging should be recycled, composted, or disposed of another way.
  • Keep costs competitive but highlight the value of eco-friendly practices by clearly communicating the environmental and personal benefits to consumers. Build customer loyalty by being open and transparent about your brand’s sustainability efforts and green initiatives.

Conclusion

Our customer survey revealed that consumer expectations are evolving. Sustainability is increasingly playing a decisive role in consumer choices in the takeaway industry. By understanding consumer behaviour towards eco-friendly packaging, food businesses can make savvy decisions that blend business goals with environmental responsibility. Because it’s becoming clear that switching to eco-friendly packaging isn’t just food for thought—it could be a recipe for success in today’s environmentally conscious market.

 

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Tale of the Sizzling Beast: Grillzilla

Who are Grillzilla?

Grillzilla began its journey in the heart of Derby city center in 2015, bringing people together over delightful piri piri chicken, burgers, wraps, and American-style fried chicken. More than just a place to dine, Grillzilla is a warm haven where freshly roasted coffee and delicious cake are lovingly served too.

With open doors and even wider hearts, Grillzilla warmly welcomes couples,  families, and large groups, ensuring there’s something special for everyone to enjoy.

How we came to work with Grillzilla 

Thanks to trusty Google, the founder of Grillzilla discovered us while looking for branded coffee cups online. They requested four different sizes of double-wall cups with their logo and decided to kick things off with a small production run to see how they’d go.

Initially, things didn’t go as planned—there was a little blunder at the factory, and the artwork ended up looking like it had a bake-off with Picasso. But hey, who hasn’t had those days, right? We believe it’s all about how you bounce back! The moment we caught wind of the mix-up, we sprang into action and whipped up a fresh batch of cups in less than 3 days, and it goes without saying, this didn’t cost Grillzilla a penny more.

It’s not just about cups! 

Images courtesy of Grillzilla

In the past few years, Grillzilla has become quite the cup connoisseur, slurping up more of our branded beauties than ever. And guess what? We’ve been slicing down those unit costs (you won’t find any devious price hikes here!).

But, we don’t stop at coffee cups! We make sure Grillzilla is all set with everything they need for takeaways and deliveries. From custom-sized tubs, bags, boxes, and greaseproof paper to greaseproof chip bags—each one crafted to perfectly fit their delicious platters, burgers, fried chicken and more.

What sets Takeaway Packaging apart, you ask?

Well, let’s talk about those chicken boxes. We teamed up with Grillzilla to craft 4 sizes of custom boxes that keep your food sizzling hot without turning it into a soggy mess. Think of them as the superheroes of packaging—embossed and printed with flair! With a little help from our in-house design wizardry, we whipped up artwork that complements their logo like Grillzilla’s hot sauce does their chicken tenders.  These boxes were put through their paces, and Grillzilla is absolutely thrilled with them, so we were excited when they asked us to create another range of sizes!

Let’s not forget to mention their bags! From a lineup of grab bags in all shapes and sizes to a family-sized takeaway bag flaunting a bold red twisted handle. This bag’s got muscles—strong enough to haul even the most ambitious of takeaways without batting an eyelid! 

We all need a little extra

On top of taking care of their packaging needs, we gave Grillzilla a hand when they faced a storage hiccup. Now, we keep all their stock safe and sound in our facilities, and they trust us to keep an eye on when it’s time to cook up the next batch of packaging. All Grillzilla has to do is give us a shout when they need a delivery, and we’ll have it zooming up the M1 by the very next day!

How has packaging from Takeaway Packaging helped Grillzilla?

Grillzilla’s snazzy packaging has been a smash hit with their customers, giving their brand a high-five, keeping the food hot and scrumptious, AND it’s crafted from 100% recyclable materials—making it a breeze for customers to part with responsibly. They’ve even snagged some rave reviews about their eco-friendly style. Talk about wrapping things up nicely!

What Grillzilla has to say:

“From the Beginning I was lucky enough to deal directly with Tina she was really helpful and understanding, for us it was our first time with branded packaging, but not to worry we were in safe hands, thanks to Takeaway Packaging we were offered advice and help at every stage, even though we had to change our mind few times they were understanding and adaptable to Grillzilla needs. This was our best marketing investment since we opened, now we are confident in our product presentation and quality.

This is only the beginning, we as a brand want to take our takeaway business to a different level, with Takeaway Packaging’s help we hope to see Grillzilla a national brand and great British start-up story that goes worldwide” – Grillzilla

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From Surf to Serve: Sustainable Seafood Packaging for Shoal
Shoal Fish & Chip Bag copy

Shoal, a traditional British seafood restaurant nestled in Winchester, came to the team at Takeaway Packaging in search of bespoke twisted-handle paper bags and specialised fish and chips boxes. Renowned for their commitment to serving fresh and sustainable seafood, Shoal wanted eco-friendly packaging to align with their core ethos.

Read on to learn how we crafted a tailored solution to keep their delectable fish and chips fresh and perfectly sustainable.

The Challenge

Shoal approached Takeaway Packaging with the requirement for custom packaging that reflected their dedication to sustainability. The unique challenge presented was the need for food-grade packaging that maintained the freshness and integrity of their food offerings while creating a customised design that aligned with their brand. 

As fish and chips have a high oil content, it was also necessary for the packaging to be greaseproof to prevent leakages during transport while still maintaining full recyclability. Typical fish and chip packaging often faces challenges when it comes to recycling due to high grease absorption, so this was a key hurdle that needed addressing.

Related: Can You Recycle Greasy Pizza Boxes?

The Approach

Shoal had three key goals in mind for their packaging: maintaining food freshness, increasing sustainability and maintaining brand consistency. With this in mind, we worked closely to create a solution that kept their food in pristine condition and met their budget and timeframe and stood out in a competitive market. Here’s how we did it:

Types of Packaging Used

Shoal opted for twisted-handle paper bags made from 80% recycled materials, which are completely compostable after use. This ensured that customers could easily dispose of their packaging without the guilt that comes with non-biodegradable options. The reinforced handle means that they’re stronger than standard paper bags, making them ideal for heavier and larger orders.

The fish and chip takeaway boxes featured a unique design, utilising virgin Kraft paper on the inside. This approach ensures that our boxes are food-grade and safe for direct contact with food. Plus, this design enhances grease resistance, as the tighter-packed fibres in the paper make it a lot harder for the grease to penetrate the box. Made with 73% recycled paper, the fish and chip boxes can be recycled or composted, and they’re also biodegradable, giving their customers plenty of options for sustainable disposal.

Related: Recyclable, Compostable or Biodegradable Food Packaging: What’s the Difference? 

Printing Methods

We used offset printing using contrasting colours and natural elements like fishtails, coral and seaweed to accentuate Shoal’s brand. This gave the packaging a striking appearance and put Shoal’s dedication to responsibly sourced and seasonal fish front and centre.

Shoal Fish & Chip Bag copy

The Result

Our collaboration with Shoal helped them meet their sustainability goals and boosted their brand’s visibility through the power of custom packaging. The unique design and eco-friendly materials enhanced Shoal’s image, contributing to a positive customer experience whilst helping them stand out in a crowded market. 

What Shoal Had to Say:

“Positive quote from the client about Takeaway Packaging’s service.” 

Branded Packaging for Your Business

Take your brand to new heights with Takeaway Packaging’s custom solutions. Whether you’re launching a new product, rebranding or seeking to make your packaging more eco-friendly, our expert team is ready to help. Get a FREE Quote

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Brilliant Branded Packaging for Mór Bakehouse
Mor Bakehouse Blog image

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh lies Mór Bakehouse, a culinary gem celebrated for its homemade delights. With three locations across the city, the bakery, deli and coffee shop prides itself on its delicious pastries, pies, sausage rolls, and freshly made wraps and baguettes, made with only the best locally sourced Scottish ingredients. Their coffee deserves an honourable mention, too — serving their own artisanal blend from local coffee roasters. 

In 2022, Mór Bakehouse approached the team at Takeaway Packaging as they wanted a branded packaging experience that resonated with their brand. We were all too happy to deliver on competitive prices, fast delivery, and a commitment to eco-friendly products that met and exceeded the demands of Mór Bakehouse’s thriving business.

Keep reading to learn how we collaborated and helped craft distinctive branded packaging for bakery products that are as practical as they are useful.

What Packaging Does a Bakery and Deli Need?

With a diverse range of food and drink available for takeaway and delivery services like Deliveroo and Just Eat, Mór Bakehouse needs a variety of bakery packaging to keep their food fresh and easy to eat while on the go. Let’s dive in and take a look:

Coffee Cups:

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Coffee cups are essential for any coffee shop, and choosing to brand them is a clever, low-cost way to introduce branded packaging to your business. Mór Bakehouse chose a simple yet eye-catching style of a black coffee cup with their brand name in contrasting bold white letters to the front, making it instantly recognisable.

If you’re looking for branded coffee cups for your business, It’s super easy to order from us. Delivery is fast, and the quality of our sustainable cups is second to none. You can even choose from white or black eco-friendly lids to complement any style.

Shop Branded Coffee Cups

Greaseproof Paper

Mor-Bakehouse-branded-greaseproof-paper-copy

Mór Bakehouse uses printed greaseproof paper to line trays for sweet and savoury delights and wrap other takeout items like toasties, burgers and muffins. For this product, they opted for white paper, and their brand name and logo are in black, dotted across the paper. This simple yet distinguishable design means that their brand is always right and centre when customers are enjoying their tasty treats. 

Printed greaseproof paper is another fast and effective way to showcase your brand in-store and when selling takeouts. As an added benefit, it’s even 100% biodegradable.

Shop Printed Greaseproof Paper

Stickers

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Branded stickers can be used to unify your off-the-shelf packaging and are often a great starting point for small businesses looking to implement branded items. We love Mór Bakehouse’s choice to print their logo in sticker form and how they use it to add an identifiable touch to otherwise plain sandwich bags and bakery packaging.  

Stickers are so versatile that they can be applied to cups, bowls, sandwich bags, takeout bags and food containers. Not to mention, they’re also cost-effective!

Shop Branded Stickers

Greaseproof Bags

Mor-Bakehouse-branded-greaseproof-bags

Greaseproof bags are a convenient way to dish up freshly baked goods, hot pasties or warm baguettes. Mór Bakehouse put their brand front and centre with white greaseproof bags and a large black logo showing everyone exactly where they can get the tastiest treats in town. 

While minimum order quantities are higher than the products above, they prove cost-effective when ordered in bulk and are a great marketing tool for your business. 

Contact Us to Order Printed Greaseproof Bags

Kraft Bowls

Kraft bowls are perfect for serving up Mór Bakehouse’s fresh and healthy pasta and salads. They can be used for both hot and cold foods, making them a highly versatile solution for their many delicious food options. 

Kraft bowls look stylish on their own, thanks to their rustic and modern appeal, but we think they look even better printed with the Mór Bakehouse logo, which ties in with the rest of their takeaway packaging perfectly.

Contact Us to Order Branded Kraft Bowls

Takeaway Packaging and Mór Bakehouse: A Year On

We’re delighted to still be working with the team at Mór Bakehouse a year later. We now supply a comprehensive range of branded and non-branded packaging and have gone above and beyond to meet the needs of their growing business.  

What Mór Bakehouse Has to Say:

“Takeaway Packaging are the best in the business; they have assisted us with all of our packaging needs at Mór Bakehouse. I would highly recommend their team to all business owners.“  – JM Mór Bakehouse

Branded Packaging for Your Business

At Takeaway Packaging, we’re proud to offer a broad spectrum of low-cost, low-volume branded options, a wide range of keenly priced off-the-shelf packaging and competitive unit costs for high-volume branded food and drink packaging.

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do; that’s why all our packaging options benefit from being plastic-free and are recyclable, compostable or biodegradable, and we only print using vegetable-based inks. With our packaging for bakery products, not one crumb will be left behind when your customers are finished with your food and beverages, not even the packaging they came in.

Get in touch with us today and start your branded packaging journey. We’re here to help you create a memorable packaging experience that enhances your brand identity. 

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Packaging Supplies for Cafés: Everything You Need for Your Coffee Shop
Ecoware Cups
Orchard Cafe Coffee Cup

Attention, coffee shop owners! When did you last think about restocking your café’s packaging supplies? Choosing the right coffee shop packaging can be a challenge, especially if you’re just starting out.

At Takeaway Packaging, we’re experts in selecting suitable packaging for cafés and coffee shops alike. We’ll give you the full rundown of our eco-friendly takeaway coffee cups you might need along with all the extras — like lids, cutlery and napkins. 

Choosing the Right Takeaway Coffee Cups and Lids

With so many different kinds of packaging for coffee and cake out there — and single-use plastics getting banned by the government — it makes a lot of sense to choose sustainable packaging. We know it can be a little confusing, particularly when packaging companies use different terms and descriptions to describe the same product!

Here’s a quick breakdown of how different hot cups work and what they are best suited for, along with a few extra tips.

Single Wall Cups

Double Wall Cups

Triple Wall Cups

Single wall cups can be used for both hot and cold beverages. These provide the least amount of insulation, which is why we recommend using eco-friendly sleeves to protect customers’ hands if you plan to use them for hot drinks.Double wall cups are best suited to hot drinks and are a popular choice for takeaway orders. “Double wall” means the cup has an additional layer to prevent it from getting too hot, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to serve it with a sleeve.Triple wall cups, also known as ripple cups, provide the highest level of insulation. Ripple cups work well for hot beverages but can be used with a sleeve if desired. For custom cups, our double or single wall cups are best to capture your designs. 

We stock all these types of eco-friendly compostable and recyclable coffee cups in our online store. Check it out!

Once you know what type of coffee cup you’ll need, you should think about the size. We’ve compiled a list of the best-size cup for different kinds of coffee:

  1. 4 oz (118 ml) — Single or double shot (e.g. Espresso, Ristretto)
  2. 6 oz (177 ml) — Small coffee (e.g. Lungo, Macchiato, Flat White)
  3. 8 oz (227 ml) — Regular coffee (e.g. Latte, Cappuccino, Americano)
  4. 12 oz (355 ml) — Large coffee (e.g. Latte, Cappuccino, Americano)
  5. 16 oz (473 ml) — Extra-large coffee (e.g. French Press, Filter Coffee)

Related: Disposable Coffee Cups: A Complete Guide for Eco-Conscious Businesses

Coffee Cup Linings

There are two types of lining you can use for your coffee cup: PE (plastic) and Ingeo™ PLA (polylactic acid).

PE: Polyethylene (PE) lining is made from plastic. Plastic offers superior water and grease resistance, is recyclable and can be recycled into other products multiple times. 

Ingeo™ PLA: Also referred to as “bioplastic”, polylactic acid (PLA) is plant-based, not oil-based. It’s 100% biodegradable and compostable, making it our top choice for sustainable coffee cups.

Custom Printed Coffee Cups

Custom Printed Coffee Cups

Why not add a custom design to show off your branding? It gives you your very own mobile advertisement. Use this opportunity to promote your social media handles or add unique artwork and logos, which can help drive sales. 

Unbranded stock cups have their advantages too — they’re budget-friendly and can be delivered straight away. If you are on a budget, we can also supply branded stickers which can be added to plain stock cups — cost-effective branding! 

Related: Should You Use Branded Takeaway Packaging?

Recyclable and Biodegradable Coffee Cup Lids

When ordering takeaway coffee cups, many purchase lids for each cup size. However, for most cups, one size fits all (from 10oz up). Smaller cups have a smaller diameter and will require smaller lids.

Lids aren’t the only finishing touch. Everyone likes their coffee a little differently, so make sure you’re stocked up on coffee stirrers and cup carriers to provide your customers with everything they need. 

Buy eco-friendly coffee cup lids to match your takeaway coffee cups.

Clear Cups for Smoothies and Juices

Nowadays, coffee shops sell more than just coffee. Smoothies, frappes and juices are part of the gang too. If you’re serving cold drinks, you might prefer a clear cup to display your colourful concoctions. Clear cups are very straightforward — simply choose your size (7 oz–20 oz) and material. Clear cups are only suitable for use with cold drinks.

PLA clear cups are the perfect choice for environmentally conscious businesses. Eco-cups are fully biodegradable and compostable, and you can brand them too. They also make for easy disposal, leaving your customers feeling guilt-free.

We also offer recyclable clear cups, which are ideal for cold drinks like smoothies, fresh juices, iced coffees and milkshakes. They’re made from 100% recycled material, which can be recycled again and again after use.

When shopping for our clear cups, you can choose from two kinds of lids. A domed lid is best for thicker drinks with toppings like whipped cream (think frappes). Flat lids are a better choice for iced coffee and juices. 

Biodegradable Straws

In July 2021, the government banned single-use plastic straws and stirrers. Considering the negative impact plastic straws have on our marine environments, we’re all the more glad for it. For thick drinks, we recommend choosing a straw with a larger diameter, such as 12 mm. Here is a selection of straws for all your juice, smoothie and cold beverage needs: 

Paper Straws 

PLA Straws

Avocado Seed Straws

Paper straws are the ultimate environmentally friendly alternative and are fully compostable. They’re suitable for thinner drinks like juices. PLA straws have the same physical attributes as plastic but are made from a plant-based material (PLA), so they’re fully biodegradable and compostable. These biodegradable avocado seed straws are extra strong and durable. They’re made from a biomass content of 70% from renewable and sustainable resources. 

Slurp up sustainability and view our entire range of biodegradable straws

Coffee Shop Packaging: The Accessories

So we’ve covered eco-friendly cups, straws and lids and explained what you need to know for serving hot and cold beverages, but what about the extras? Let’s look at some sustainable alternatives to single-use coffee shop accessories. 

Recycled Paper Napkins

Napkins are an essential item on your café packaging supplies list. If you sell pastries, biscuits or desserts, customers will want napkins to stay clean — and green! 

The ply of a napkin is how many layers the napkin has. Most napkins are one to three-ply — the higher the number, the thicker it is.

The most popular napkin material used in coffee shops is paper, as it’s easily disposable. Environmentally conscious businesses often use unbleached napkins made from recycled paper.

Biodegradable NapkinsBut just because your business is sustainable doesn’t mean it has to be a plain Jane. We stock a wide range of 100% biodegradable, recyclable and compostable napkins in stunning vivid colours like indigo and bright red. 

Related: The Best Packaging for Desserts: A Definitive Guide

Biodegradable and Compostable Cutlery

Single-use plastic cutlery is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to littering. It’s also part of the single-use plastic ban the government is introducing. Luckily, you have several viable, eco-friendly alternatives. 

Bioplastic Cutlery

Wooden Cutlery

Avocado Seed Cutlery

Bioplastic PLA cutlery offers the same physical appearance and durability as heavy-duty plastic cutlery, but it is completely biodegradable and compostable.Hard wooden cutlery is produced from renewable resources and is recyclable and biodegradable. Wooden cutlery is also less likely to snap than plastic cutlery.Avocado seed cutlery is incredibly strong and durable. Produced from renewable resources, it’s the more sustainable alternative to standard, oil-based cutlery.

For more eco-friendly cutlery options, have a look at our online selection

Recycled and Recyclable Paper Bags

Takeaway bags will always come in handy if you’re serving food at your coffee shop. Here are some popular coffee shop packaging bag designs:

Paper Grab Bags

SOS Paper Bags

The small to larger sizes of these grab bags makes them perfect for sandwiches, cakes and pastries. As the name suggests, these are suited to grab-and-take options. You can shop unbranded grab bags or have them branded with your artwork and logo.The SOS-style bag is most commonly used by coffee shops, bakeries and delis. Its structure allows for small takeaway boxes and soup cups to sit level inside. These bags can also be branded and are available with a twisted handle or flat handle. 

Looking for more? We have many other types of sustainable paper bags and food carriers for you to discover

Buying Packaging for Your Coffee Shop with Us

Sustainable coffee shop packaging is the future — not only for the planet but for your business too. Stock up on eco-friendly packaging now and avoid additional costs like the plastic packaging tax and fines for using single-use plastic. With our range of café packaging supplies, you can give your customers an easy way to dispose of their waste while showcasing your commitment to sustainability.

Buy sustainable packaging for your coffee shop online, including biodegradable coffee cups and recyclable food packaging — and much more!

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Combatting Littering with Customised Packaging
Combatting Littering with Customised Packaging

Littering is a load of rubbish. Here’s how you can kick it to the curb with the help of customised packaging.

It looks like things are getting back to normal, but if there’s one thing we don’t want to return to, it’s littering. 75% of people globally have admitted to littering in the last five years. While that might come as something of a surprise — given that people generally think that littering is a reprehensible act — Britains parks, beaches, streets, and countryside bear the evidence.

Littering costs local councils £700 million every year and can stigmatise your brand if your packaging is frequently littered, so what can your brand do to help people act more responsibly once they’re finished with their takeaways? 

What Are the Best Ways to Combat Littering?

Takeaway food and drink packaging dominate ocean plastic pollution. It can be upsetting to think that the customers you’re serving might not dispose of your takeaway packaging correctly, but it’s up to you to try and change their attitudes and behaviour and save the planet.

There are some amazing examples of anti-litter campaigns from around the world that have proven incredibly effective at reducing littering in various global communities. Here are some takeaway points you can use to counteract littering:

1. Promote Your Cause on Social Media

You might not want to go as far as calling out litterers on Instagram — even though it might make you go viral — but you can use your platform for good. Giving your followers a gentle reminder to take their litter to the right bin will benefit your business, the environment and your local community. 

2. Build the Right Bin-frastructure

Part of the reason people litter is because they can’t find — or sometimes, can’t be bothered to find — a suitable place to dispose of their rubbish. In a 2020 report by WRAP, bins set out by food and drink businesses significantly reduced litter at various entrances and exits to establishments, proving how much convenience plays a part in the responsible disposal of the rubbish.

With this in mind, try to make life that much easier for everyone and highlight your refuse areas. This will allow even the most “care-free” individuals to do the right thing and dispose of their waste responsibly. Not only will this help to reduce littering, but it’ll also boost recycling, helping your packaging go even further than before. 

3. Make It Fun

It’s a little bit cliché, but it genuinely works. Gamification — the act of taking elements from a typical game and repurposing them to enhance an otherwise mundane experience — has proven itself to be a creative and highly effective way to reduce littering. Placing waste bins at convenient locations is the first step, but giving your customers an added incentive to dispose of their rubbish responsibly adds another dimension to waste management. 

From Ballot Bins for cigarette buts to targets in bins in drive-through car parks, there are plenty of ways to make something as simple as waste disposal a memorable experience for customers and members of the public.

4. Lead By Example

Fast-food chains have some of the most heavily littered packagings out of all kinds of takeaway businesses, but KFC is to train all 28,000 of its UK staff to tackle litter. Local authorities had reported an increase in littering since the first national lockdown, spurring the global fast-food chain to respond with their own strategies to contain the problem. 

Similarly, you can help improve your community’s issues with litter through education. Our customisable packaging can include helpful information and compelling reasons to recycle alongside vibrant designs that will capture the imagination of your customers.

For some top-tier content, take some mouth-watering shots of your food and drinks products along with their recyclable or biodegradable packaging. Use these in conjunction with some anti-littering hashtags and politely remind people how your conveniently disposable takeaway packaging helps protect the environment.

Can Customised Packaging Help Reduce Littering?

Littering isn’t just an eyesore; it costs local governments millions of pounds to clean up the mess and has a seriously negative impact on the environment. Plastic waste kills 100 million marine animals every year, most of which could’ve been recycled if it had been disposed of properly. More education and better infrastructure are needed to help people take responsibility for their waste, but you can help make a difference with the way you use your packaging.

Using custom packaging can promote environmental awareness and help your customers create a better community. An eye-catching custom design can significantly benefit your business too. It’ll boost brand recognition and help you outcompete your rivals, allowing you to make your mark as an eco-conscious business that cares about your customers, the community and the planet.

Looking for a cost-effective way to clamp down on littering and boost your brand? Get in touch with our expert design team today via phone or email and get a free design quote.

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Can You Recycle or Reuse Plastic Takeaway Containers?
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What should you do with plastic takeaway containers? Find out if they can be recycled, reused safely or if eco-friendly alternatives are better.

People are ordering more takeaways than ever, with the average annual spend per person rising 42% in the past two years. Even as the hospitality industry returns, takeaways still account for a large percentage of total orders, indicating a permanent shift in consumer behaviour.

With such a dramatic change in customers’ preferences, people need to know whether or not it’s safe to reuse plastic food containers and how to dispose of them responsibly.

Can You Reuse Plastic Takeaway Containers? 

If you like getting the most for your money or are conscious of reducing plastic waste, you’ll be wondering what you can do with those plastic containers and lids that so often make their way into our household. They seem perfect for reheating any leftovers or housing other snacks lying around your house, but is it safe to reuse them?

If they’re made of plastic, the answer is NO.

Plastic containers leach harmful chemicals into their contents. When exposed to heat, phthalates — just one of the hazardous chemicals used to form plastic — end up in the very food you’re eating. This happens on a microscopic level and has been linked to serious health conditions, a worrying sign that plastic isn’t a safe option for takeaway outlets.

Anything made from polystyrene can’t be reused either, as it carries a risk of bacterial contamination. Since polystyrene is a porous, plastic-based material, there are plenty of small spaces within the packaging to trap bacteria from food and the environment. 

If you care about the environment, it can be difficult to accept that all we can do is throw away these plastic items. Most of us immediately want to find some alternative use for such items to increase their lifecycle. But, the truth is that reusing plastic takeaway containers will do more harm than good and could directly affect your health.

Can You Recycle Plastic Takeaway Containers? 

Since reusing plastic takeaway containers is out of the question, what about recycling them? This depends on the material they’re made from. Check the packaging to see if there’s a recycling symbol and number on the base of the product, its Resin Identification Code.

Here’s what each of those numbers means:

 

NumberProductRecyclable?
1PET or PETEOnly curbside recycling programs will take these, so long as they’re rinsed and clean of any food. Do not throw in general recycling.
2HDPETakeaway containers in this form can be recycled through curbside recycling programs. Film and thinner products can’t be.
3PVC or VIt’s unlikely that this plastic type can be recycled. That said, it’s always worth checking with your local council.
4LDPEThis material isn’t widely recycled unless the store does a return program or your local council has a specialist facility.
5PPLike PET, these containers can be recycled through curbside recycling programs. Do not throw in general recycling.
6PSIt’s unlikely that this plastic type can be recycled. It can be difficult to dispose of since it’s a foam product.
7MiscellaneousIt’s unlikely that these plastic types are recycled since they have a broad classification. This numbering might refer to plastic film present on takeaways or a small portion of the packaging.

So, not all plastics are created equal. They all require some additional effort to be recycled instead of tossed with general recycling waste. This can be a burden and leads many people to simply throw away their plastic takeaway containers in general waste.

If you want to recycle plastic takeaway containers, make sure they are thoroughly rinsed to remove any food or residue. This is a must for recycling facilities that may fail to accept your items if dirty. Recycle Now suggests using the remains of your soapy dishwater to clean items before disposal, as well as removing any cardboard or paper sleeves. 

What’s a Good Plastic Takeaway Container Alternative?

What’s a Good Plastic Takeaway Container Alternative

You might be thinking that fish and chips wrapped in paper or pizza served in cardboard is a much more environmentally friendly way to eat takeaway food. Unfortunately, the majority of recycling facilities will reject spoiled takeaway containers due to potential contamination. Oil and grease can penetrate these materials and interfere with the recycling process, negatively affecting recycling and contributing to landfill waste.

To combat this issue and improve recycling rates, we’ve developed grease-resistant takeaway containers like our food-grade Kraftware boxes. 

Here are a few awesome eco-friendly examples:

  • – Pizza Boxes — Both compostable and recyclable, these high-quality, super-sustainable boxes can be disposed of responsibly no matter how messy they get. The food-grade Kraft lining helps reduce oil and grease penetration, improving recycling rates, but they can also be composted commercially or at home since they’re totally plastic-free.
    Snack Boxes
  • – Snack Boxes — Leak-proof, grease-resistant and stackable, these snack boxes perform incredibly well and make a versatile addition to your kitchen. They’re easy to use and are suitable for hot, cold, wet or dry foods. Best of all, these containers will keep your food fresh and delicious for your customers to enjoy, no matter what kind of culinary delights you’re serving.
    Burger Boxes
  • – Burger Boxes — With a lock-in hinged lid, you can package your patties with ease while protecting the environment. Available in various sizes, you can serve stacked burgers without compromise. They’re also great for freshly-baked cookies and other hot foods that you need to keep fresh.
    Chip Cups
  • – Chip Cups — Whether it’s perfectly cooked halloumi fries, rustic wedges or something else entirely, these chip cups are ideal for delicious finger foods. Made from 90% recycled materials, they’re a handy alternative to polystyrene chip cones.
    Cake Boxes
  • – Cake Boxes — Something for dessert? These cake boxes are ideal for all kinds of sweet treats. With a neat handle, they make small takeaways a lot more convenient for your customers. They also feature a unique, soft-edged design that’s bound to make your takeaway food memorable.

 

With so many eco-friendly alternatives to standard, not-so-eco-friendly plastic takeaway containers, it’s easy to see why our sustainable packaging is becoming the most popular choice for restaurants, cafés and all manner of food outlets.

Need a Sustainable Alternative to Plastic Takeaway Containers?

We serve some of the biggest names in the British takeaway industry. You can choose from both hot food containers and cold food containers crafted using a range of sustainable materials, all accepted by recycling facilities. Materials such as PLA bioplastic give you all the benefits of plastic — durability, transparency, versatility — without the drawbacks of oil-based plastics. We also sell tougher versions of cardboard, such as unbleached Kraft board boxes and bagasse containers, making our packaging functional, effective and super eco-friendly.

Shop our eco-friendly food packaging and get free delivery on all UK mainland orders. Looking for something extra special? Check out our amazing branded packaging solutions and food labelling stickers to give your street food some street cred.

 

Shop Now

 

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Who would have thought an Energy Company would need Ice Cream Tubs?
Energy-Company-Ice-Cream-Tubs

Working as a packaging company we work with so many different customer’s, but we never thought an energy company would need Ice Cream Tubs! Did you? We were shocked at first but at the end of the day we are here to help anyone looking for branded packaging, so if you are looking for some, then give us a call.

How long did these tubs take to make?

These tubs had a very small turn around time, once we have artwork the tubs were delivered within 2 weeks and were made in time for their deadline. This was an order for 1,000 tubs which is our minimum order for branded tubs.

Was the customer satisfied with the tubs?

Yes, they were delighted and they left us a review on Facebook expressing their happines. It said “Great service and fast delivery! Will definitely order from them again!” Our aim is to match our customers initial ideas to the best we can. This was one of many occasions where we achieved this goal.

Do I need my own artwork to create branded tubs?

No absolutely not, we have an amazing in-house design team that can create artwork for you! Simply explain what you want them to look like and let us do our magic.

Interested in creating your own?

Get in touch today and talk to our team about branded packaging. Call us on 01753 655344 or email us on [email protected].

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Start Living a Plastic Free Life!
Compostable, plastic free, recyclable circular logo

Do you want to reduce the amount of plastic that you use in your everyday life, but you do not know how? We are going to talk about simple ways to swap plastic out of your shopping. If we all think about the amount we use and try to reduce it, we will slowly start fixing this ongoing problem.

Fruit and Vegetables

When buying fruit and veg, I think we forget that mother nature has given them their own protective packaging, meaning we DO NOT need to put them in plastic packaging. Ask yourself, do you really need a large bag of carrots or can you pick out some that you want and put them in a brown paper bag that is compostable.

Swap Bottles for Jars

This may not be possible with all products but just take the time to think about it. Can you replace your plastic bottle of vinegar for a glass one, or can you swap your plastic sauce pot for a can or a jar? If we all stop for 2 seconds to think about little things like this then the oceans will be clear before we know it!

Meat and Fish

We are all culprits in damaging the planet with plastic meat packaging. It is so easy to find what you want, pick it up and walk off rather then head over to the deli counter pick what you want and how much of it and get it wrapped up without plastic. Now we understand that this is not for everyone, but if you can then why not do it.

Bread

Now this should be easy, as who doesn’t love a bit of fresh bread! Get rid of the plastic bags and go buy a loaf of fresh bread for your breakfast and lunches. If you are buying more than one loaf and you need a bag, get a paper one and if they do not have some on offer, ask for one! Ask to replace the plastic bags with paper ones, there is no reason why not. The earth can’t speak for itself and neither can the wildlife that we are killing so we have to speak up and make the change!

Soft Drinks

This has to be one product that most of all uses plastic packaging… we doubt that there is one person that hasn’t bought a bottle of water or orange juice in the morning. We don’t always need to. Buy a can of coke instead, or a carton of juice or even a glass bottle of water.  We can do it if we try!

So, lets make a change, lets actually DO something about this problem. Head over to our website and take a look at the other plastic alternatives we offer, from PLA to Baggase (Sugarcane Pulp) and even paper. They are amazing products that do not harm the planet. So, have a browse and see if there is anything you are interested in and if you want them branded then give us a call as we do that too. 

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Royal Collection Trust Ice Cream Tubs
Royal-Collection-Trust-Ice-Cream-Tubs

We have been working alongside the Royal Trust Collection to create a unique PLA ice cream tub to be given out in their wonderful ice cream trucks. This has been an ongoing project, and we are so pleased with the outcome and wanted to share it with all of you.

What are the tubs made of?

The ice cream tubs are made of PLA material, making them fully recyclable and compostable. PLA stands for polylactic acid and it is a vegetable-based plastic material consisting of renewable materials. However, even though they are PLA they are not shiny, they have a lovely matt finish to them.

Where will I find these tubs?

These tubs are going to be used to serve ice cream from the trucks placed around Windsor Castle and St James’s Palace. There is a 3oz and a 5oz ice tub, so you can either have 1 scoop or if you are feeling hungry get 2 or 3 with lots of toppings of course. Our favourite is a strawberry swirl with oreo pieces and white chocolate sauce on top, hmmm!

Who do I contact to create my own tubs?

You can either give us a call or send us an email. We love to create tubs like these or add custom food packaging stickers, the end product makes it all worthwhile. Our tubs are manufactured from heavyweight paperboard and are coated with PE on the interior (but can also be coated on the exterior). PE coating is proven to be an ideal barrier against frost, liquid and condensation. All printed ice cream tubs are produced to your specific requirements. But like the Royal Collection Trust, we can make them in PLA if requested.

So, if you are interested in making your own tubs just like this then give us a call and kick-start your summer with colour-branded ice cream tubs that people will remember!

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The Need to know of Biodegradable Packaging!
A man eating a takeaway from biodegradable packaging

Biodegradable packaging is the future! All Biodegradable products can be decomposed by microbes and other natural biological processes. Exposure to moisture, air and the earths elements enhance the breakdown process. Biodegradable products include those that consist of food waste, paper, wood and fabric. Below you will find information on all the different types of material that we use here at Takeaway Packaging.

History on Packaging

Biodegradable products first appeared on the market in the 1980s, however not all materials were actually biodegradable, and consumers had no way of distinguishing the difference between them. Then in 1999 the Biodegradable Products Institute certification program was created. This is a program that was established to provide testing, education and promotion of all compostable products. BPI ensures any products that carries its logo, meets the ASTM D6200 standard and specifications required to be composable. These days you will see something much simpler, to tell you that it is compostable. Products today will have either “compostable” “PLA” “biodegradable” or “100% recyclable” logos.

Two ecodeli bowls full of fruit. Above on bowl, a hand is dropping more fruit into the bowl below
Deli Bowls

What is PLA?

Polylactic acid or polylactide is a biodegradable and bioactive thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable biomass, typically from fermented plant starch such as corn, cassava, sugarcane or sugar beet pulp.

What is PET Plastic?

Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly abbreviated as PET, is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family. It is most often used in synthetic fibers, as a materialfor plastic bottles and food containers, in thermoforming applications, and in engineering resins often used in combination with glass fiber.

Bagasse Containers

What is Sugarcane Pulp?

Sugarcane, also known as bagasse, is a renewable, fast growing resource that is grown for several purposes, like cane juice. Once the juice is extracted, the sugarcane stalk is usually incinerated or discarded. However, these crushed stalks can be saved and made into other items before they get discarded.

What is an FSC Accredited Sources?

FSC also licenses retailers and other end users to promote FSClabelled products, without holding FSC certification. This system allows consumers to identify, purchase and use wood, paper and other forest products produced from well-managed forests and/or recycled materials.

What is PE?

Polyethylene or polythene (abbreviated PE; IUPAC name polyethene or poly(methylene)) is the most common plastic. … Its primary use is in packaging (plastic bags, plastic films, geomembranes, containers including bottles, etc.). Many kinds of polyethylene are known, with most having the chemical formula (C2H4)n.

You now know about every type of material that we work with. All can be recycled. If you have any other questions about products or materials, then feel free to contact us and we can do our best to help. Takeaway Packaging is an environmental packaging provider for businesses in the food sector. Our vision is to convert 100% of both our new and existing customers to our sustainable packaging range by 2021.

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Check out our new Category on our Online Shop – Paper Bags & Carry Cases
Biodegradable Paper Bags and Food Carriers

Here at Takeaway Packaging we are always updating and making changes to our website. We want your journey to be as easy as possible, so head over to the shop and check out our newly added eco-friendly paper bags and food carriers and see what we have to offer.

What will I find on this new page?

On this page you will find, three different sizes of brown paper bags along with two types of carry cases. Both of these products are perfect for any type of takeaway and both can be easily branded. Simply give us a call to get the ball rolling.

We have also added a new product that we think you will all be interested in. Kids Activity Lunch Bags- in each bag you will find an easy grip multi-crayon, themed activity book & different toys from dominoes, to sticker sheets and even card frames with props to play with – all packaged in a high quality printed, recyclable paper bag. These fun and educational packs are suitable for children 4 years old and up. Kid’s Activity Bags are supplied as a box of 100 units, mixed between the three designs (Goblins & Fairies, Witches & Wizards and Pickles Pet Shop), along with counter display trays for ease of dispensing. Other off-the-shelf designs are available to buy online – or buy all our designs with the Multi bundle option.

All products on this page are fully recyclable and compostable as they are all made from paper!

Kids Activity Lunch Bags

How long does delivery take?

Anything you order from the Takeaway Packaging site before 2pm will be with you the very next day. You can also receive free delivery when you spend over £100.

Who do I contact if I have questions about any products?

We have a new live chat facility on our website where someone is there to answer any questions you have Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00. Alternatively, you can call us on 01753 655344 or send us an email to [email protected].

How do I place and order?

It is totally up to you, we can take orders over the phone, via email, or you can order straight from the website. Whatever is easier for you.

Branded Products

Takeaway Packaging manufacture printed paper bags, which are one of the most useful, prominent and cost-effective marketing tools a business can benefit from. Why not offer customers a quality printed carrier bag that they can reuse time and time again whilst promoting your brand?

Takeaway Packaging produce printed bags in a range of styles, materials, qualities and finishes. These bags can be printed and personalised with your artwork, enhancing brand awareness.

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Noodle Boxes- A New Addition to our Online Shop!
noodle-box-filter1

We have recently added Noodle Boxes to our Hot Food Container section why not take a look. It is something that we are really excited to show to customers, they are easy to brand and come in three different sizes.

The sizes that we offer are the 16oz, 26oz and 36oz and they come in boxes of 500. This product has a PE coating making it leak and grease resistant – perfect for saucy dishes.

Shop Online

FEATURES

  • Hot & Cold use
  • Easily Branded

Order before 2pm for next day delivery and spend over £100 for free delivery on all products. Head to our online shop to place your order.

Branding & Bulk Orders

If you are interested in branding, get in touch with us today to discuss creating your own bespoke Noodle Box. For bulk orders, we are able to offer you a discount, contact us to find out more.

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Custom Branding – Promote your brand on our Takeaway Packaging

Takeaway Packaging produce bespoke food packaging and supplies, all tailored to your requirements and designs. We provide a fully comprehensive service and offer support to our clients from initial concepts all the way through to delivery. Our expertise allows us to work closely with you to create visually appealing products for your business.

Continue reading “Custom Branding – Promote your brand on our Takeaway Packaging”
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How Do Designer Food Packaging and Caring for the Environment Mix?
How Do Designer Food Packaging and Caring for the Environment Mix

If something is a designer item, it has to be overboard and all about the image — and it absolutely cannot be considerate towards the environment, right? Wrong. Despite some high-end brands giving the luxury market a bad ethical reputation, designer packaging can cater to the conscious consumer in any sector — including food packaging.

If something is designed, it simply means is that it has been developed with great care and a clear target customer in mind. This is the case for our bespoke packaging, which is developed by our in-house teams of designers to create environmental food packaging that stands out for the customers of quirky brands. In this blog post, we will discuss how a careful design process can tackle our food packaging problems by offering sustainable yet stylish alternatives.

How Does Food Packaging Affect the Environment?

There is plenty of evidence to show that food packaging and the environment have a strained relationship, to say the least. As a result of our throwaway culture and reliance on convenience comforts, we have created some shocking food packaging waste statistics. Most notably, there is predicted to be 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste in landfill by 2050. The most severe food packaging problems affect the earth’s natural environment, polluting our oceans and negatively impacting sea life.

In short, something needs to change in food packaging to protect the environment for future generations. Crucially, we need to eliminate the use of harmful plastic in food containers and other packaging products so that Brits can feel less guilty about their takeaways. But on top of this, brands still want to use their packaged products to inject some personality into their offering. Environmental packaging needs to be designed with care so that it both protects the environment and promotes the supplier.

Can Designer Food Packaging Still Be Recycled? 

Yes, designer food packaging can still be recycled. In fact, basic packaging from your average takeaway is most likely made from harmful plastic.

A tip for consumers deciding to buy: a brand is less likely to put its name on something if it would be ashamed of its impact on the environment. In this sense, branded food packaging is more likely to be 100% recyclable, biodegradable and compostable (but always check for certified UK recycling symbols to make sure).

By using different packaging materials for food, such as the Ingeo™ PLA Bioplastic used in our biodegradable coffee cups, we can create food packaging that is 100% recyclable. We use vegetable-based inks to print bespoke designs on these cups (and various other products in our range) so that designer food packaging can blend seamlessly with caring for the environment.

How Can We Reduce Plastic in Food Packaging and Make Sure It’s on Brand?

Others are now understanding the importance of packaging to the environment and rephrasing what luxury means by prioritising sustainable strategies. The purpose of food packaging is shifting from simply being a container for food to being a driver for change and an effective tool for promotion.

Some of our most successful clients have embraced the traditional eco look by sticking with brown paper cups and a simple logo, like Cobbs Farm. Others have stayed true to their roots, embodying their iconic designs while using sustainable packaging, although you wouldn’t know it unless you were told (much like Ferrari’s 70th birthday burger boxes). This proves that sustainability never has to get in the way of style and that opting for environmental food packaging is a choice that won’t tarnish your brand image — in fact, it might even enhance it.

Create your own stylish and sustainable food packaging that doesn’t harm the environment by booking your free design consultation. Our expert team of in-house designers will help you to develop a creative brief for food packaging that pops.

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A Brief History of Chopsticks: Dos & Dont’s
chopsticks diner

Chopsticks have been around for centuries and, of course, they’re ubiquitous in Asia.

Actually, the sticks as we would recognise them today go back as far as the late Shang Dynasty.

In case you didn’t know, that was 16th-11th century BC, so just the other day…

In the early days, the Chinese word for Chopsticks was “zhu” 筯, and during that time, the tyrannical King Zhou ordered his craftsmen to make chopsticks out of elephant’s teeth which were deemed to be of utmost luxury in early Chinese culture.

chopsticks beef soup

The rise of chopsticks versus early versions of the spoon which were just as prevalent in very early Asian culture, is largely thanks to the rise of wheat!

Millet and other such grains used to be the staple for most early Chinese meals, but as the growing appeal of wheat continued, so to did wheat-flour foods such as noodles and dumplings.

With a lot more in the way of noodles and dumplings knocking around, chopsticks were clearly a much better tool than the humble spoon.

There’s an old Chinese proverb which gives testimony to the above: ‘you are what you wheat’.

Ok, sorry about that – here’s what you should know about using them:

chopsticks etiquette

Dos & Don’ts

It seems to be that chopsticks are no longer the novelty that they used to be and Asian restaurants are far less likely to assumptively provide silverware to their Western diners.

So with a modest 7,000 years worth of dining history behind them, there must be some etiquette rules around using chopsticks, right?

Well, there are loads!

Here’s a quick run down of the main ones that should see you through to the end of your meal and warmly welcomed back to dine again in the future.

Do take food from a serving bowl and place it in your bowl before eating – patience will serve hungry diners well here!

Don’t wave your chopsticks around or use them to point or gesticulate at someone.

Do place them on top of/across your bowl horizontally when not using them but DON’T cross them – crossing chopsticks is very taboo and a symbol of death…

chopsticks sharing

Don’t stick them into your food vertically as this is reminiscent of placing incense in rice at the altar during a funeral!

Don’t pick through food with your chopsticks looking for which item to choose from a shared serving plate, have conviction and commit.

Don’t suck the tip of your chopsticks – yes, even if there’s some amazingly tasty sauce left on it! This will see you ridiculed in front of everyone as someone lacking a family education…

Do hold the bowl in your hand and use your chopsticks to push rice into your mouth, if you need to.

Don’t do that if you’re in Korea.

Do NOT pierce pieces of food with your chopsticks, this is very rude!

Don’t pass food to another person chopstick to chopstick, that’s also a funeral ritual…

Don’t break apart wooden chopsticks and rub them together – this is because people would often do this with cheap wooden chopsticks that splinter. Doing so with any pair of chopsticks tells the host you think their chopsticks are cheap!

Remember those and you should be just fine!

chopsticks resting

Considering upping your chopstick game or perhaps introducing some Asian cuisine on your menu?

We can help!

We sell traditional yet modern chopsticks that are packed with potential.

Our custom branded chopsticks are a handy utensil for your takeaway customers and those dining in.

We can print the chopsticks sleeve with your artwork and logo to increase your brand’s presence.

Printing your chopsticks or chopstick sleeves can be an effective and visually appealing way to increase brand awareness and are a fraction of the cost of other forms of branded takeaway packaging.

We produce both wooden, disposable and resin reusable chopsticks.

Get in touch and let’s have a chat about what we can do to help you.

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5 Vegan Takeaways That Will Blow Your Mind
vegan gyros

You can’t fail to notice the huge surge in demand for vegan food over the last 3 years.

Whether it’s popup food markets, big-chain supermarkets or local cafés, vegan food and substitutes can be found everywhere.

This surging market is still extremely buoyant, and, arguably, the demand is still higher than the supply.

This is great news for food retailers as it means they can diversify their offerings if they’re not already catering to vegan customers.

In many cases, the food outlet doesn’t need to be specifically vegan or even vegetarian.

Most vegan dishes can be served up by subbing in tofu and subbing out meat.

The key message of this article is that vegans too can enjoy fast food to go, hangover food, comforting stodge, carb day, cheat day, whatever you want to call it!

If you’re considering of offering some vegan dishes but aren’t quite sure where to start, here’s 5 spots that we think are nailing it.

Check out the following list of scrummy vegan takeaway dishes.

We seriously encourage you to try them and use them to inspire your own dishes!

vegan takeaway

Vegan Seitan Gyros – The Athenian – Bristol, London

If you’re in London or Bristol you must make time to grab yourself a Vegan Gyros from The Athenian.

A gyros (pronounced ‘yeer-ross’) is a traditional Greek street food item.

Carefully wrapped inside a soft Greek pita, seitan, a chewy protein-rich meat substitute is marinated with herbs, lemon juice and olive oil and served with vegan mayo, paprika-dusted fries.

It will change your life and leave you wondering how it’s not meat – try it with a bottle of stout!

vegan gyros

Mexican “Fish” Tacos – Club Mexicana at Pamela – London

As claimed on their website, Club Mexicana “make 100% vegan and totally banging Mexican-inspired street food”.

Club Mexicana are no strangers to the vegan street food scene.

Check out their tofu “fish” tacos and also expect heavily ‘guaced’ nachos, sweet bbq sauces, “cheesey” fries, crispy chipotle potatoes and so much more!

Banging!

vegan fish tacos

Vegan Pizza – Picky Wops – London

So you follow a plant-based diet and you’re craving that stringy mozzarella cheese pizza scenario that you just know nothing else can satisfy…

A real dilemma? No! Why?

Because Picky Wops!

Picky Wops, your new best friend, is a vegan pizza joint based out of Fulham.

What makes them special is that they have a whopping menu featuring no less than 8 different kinds of vegan cheese!

Whether it’s coconut mozzarella or cashew nut camembert you can expect a pizza with plenty of meat substitute, like seitan, and all the veg!

Two words: go there!

vegan pizza

Fresh Falafels – GoFalafel – Manchester

For the freshest tasting lunch ever, be sure to check out GoFalafel when you’re next in Manchester.

Serving super-fresh and seasonal salads with their falafel using generations-old Middle Eastern recipes, GoFalafel have been dubbed as Manchester’s best for falafel.

Everything on the premises is entirely vegan, couple your order with one of their freshly juiced fruit and veg smoothies and you will be smiling and glowing the whole day!

vegan falafel

Vegan Sushi Burritos – Happy Maki – Brighton

Heading to the coast for the weekend? Fancy a trip to a pier?

Well, make sure it’s Brighton that you go to and while you’re there, head to Happy Maki for what is probably one of the most original takeaway ideas we’ve come across: vegan sushi burritos!

Freshly prepared, these beauties are extremely popular.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, Happy Maki combine avocado with raw and cooked vegetables to create a multitude of different textures along with herbs, spicy coconut and teriyaki sauces.

You simply have to check this place out and devour something totally different that’s totally 100% vegan.

Happy Maki make being vegan an absolute breeze!

vegan sushi burrito
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5 Reasons to visit us at the Takeaway Expo
Ecoware Group

In case you didn’t already know, we are pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at the Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation this September! We are very excited to meet all of you and hope you will come down to visit us at our stand 1938. Order your free tickets here.

We figured it might take a little bit of convincing…. So here are our top five reasons to visit us at the Expo.

#1 Chat with our Delightful Team
The Takeaway Packaging team really are a friendly bunch! They have years of experience in food & drink packaging, so they can answer any questions you may have about switching to eco-friendly packaging.

#2 Free Samples!
We always encourage our customers to trial our products. This ensures all eventualities are covered on their part before they place an order. What could be worse than ordering a clear cup that can’t fully contain your fresh juice?

#3 A Special Surprise Just for You!
Visit our stand and receive a discount on your first order with us!

Takeaway Expo
Our Range

#4 It’s Free!
Another reason to visit us… tickets to the show are free, and there are no hidden costs to worry about! All you need think about is transportation to ExCel, and fortunately, there are many routes and methods of getting there.
Getting to ExCel

#5 Networking
It’s a great opportunity to connect with other members of our industry. There are over 200 seminars to attend and a few ‘thought provoking’ panel sessions with industry experts. There is even a networking area, so you are sure to meet some memorable people.

Get in touch if you need any further information about visiting us at the show, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Like this blog? Read our blog about the exhibition here.

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Posted on
How to Design Packaging for a Subscription Service
subscription service design

Something which comes up an awful lot in the packaging channels of this world, is how best to design packaging suited to a subscription service.

Given our love of all things design and packaging, we thought we’d share some core tips on the sorts of things you need to consider about your packaging designs.

Using the example of a box, this will range from the dimensions of the box to the type of box used.

We follow with some pointers around graphic design and also cover the often overlooked aspect of enhanced advertising.

Many businesses will tell you that it’s often very easy to get carried away with the design elements of a new packaging idea.

While it’s fundamental to the success of a brand’s image and perception, it’s not all about design – choosing the right style and size of the box can hugely impact your profitability.

Subscription service gift

Size Matters – Think Inside The Box

Make sure you’re clear on exactly what will be going in the box or packaging each time you send it and try to use as small a box as possible.

This will help you in a number of ways:

Lower costs on manufacturing and materials (namely cardboard).

A smaller box, and subsequently a reduction in the weight of the box, leaves more allowance for weight of the items themselves, resulting in lower overall shipping costs.

Client retention: customers will perceive the contents to be of greater value – the smaller the box, the fuller it seems

Whereas, if your box is too big and there’s too much space for your products, it will seem underfilled.

In cases where you need to send larger packaging to accommodate an anomaly item, go for two!

Even with two on the odd occasion, you’ll find that you still achieve a saving on your shipping costs – 11 months smaller box and 1 month two boxes.

subscription service items

What’s Your Style?

There are a lot of factors to consider here:

Is your box suitable to ship as it is, or will you need a secondary box to ship it in?

What about the style?

Keep in mind your budget here: 2-piece trays tend to give an impression of higher quality but this might mean you need to use a secondary shipping box – increasing your shipping costs.

On the other hand, tuck-fold closures are great for rapid production. You can cut down on labour and packing time by packing in advance.

One great tip is to use the shipping label as the securing tape.

Holding on to the pennies? Then the classic stock box aka one-piece folder cut-out might be the right option for you.

However, if you want a custom, non-stock shape then you may find you need to purchase the box-shape-cutter itself, once you’ve had it made.

Office subscription service

Think Outside The Box

The best way to think of your box is as a piece of directly mailed advertising with a 100% engagement rate!

It’s like sending an email you know is going to be opened.

This is your opportunity to sell through your packaging.

It’s completely up to you what elements you include, whether calls to action, offers or incentives.

Think social media sharing prompts, upsell offers or refer a friend options as great ways to increase sales.

Whatever it is, remember to test and measure.

subscription service design

Graphic design & Artwork

Creating your own artwork is extremely rewarding but equally time consuming and difficult to do if you want a really professional finish.

If you don’t have an in-house graphic designer, then don’t despair!

We have a team dedicated to designing and producing fully bespoke, personal designs that are the perfect representation of your brand.

Generally speaking, on the graphic design and printing front, the more varied and full of colour your design, the more it’ll cost to print.

Using laminate coverings can create a very clean cut finish suited to more premium-styled packages.

Stay aware of the different features, forms and styles as these will either hurt or boost your bottom line in different ways!

Subscription service art design

Partner Up!

At Takeaway Packaging we provide a completely custom packaging service to suit any brand.

With our packaging and design expertise alongside our legendary joke-telling and enviable good looks, we make the perfect partner for your subscription packaging service.

To find out much more about the options available, drop us a line and let’s chat!

Posted on
Weird and Wonderful Packaging Designs
Corporate identity template set with pattern of baked goods. Business stationery mock-up with logo sample. Set of paper bag, cup, cards etc. Vector illustration.

Along with a lot of things in life, like people and potatoes, takeaway packaging comes in many different shapes and sizes.

Sometimes weirdness and oddities are fun and exciting.

Other times, unusual designs can turn out to be ground-breaking and super practical.

Sadly, it is also true that some takeaway packaging is just bonkers and simply ugly.

If you haven’t already guessed, we’ve gathered some examples of the above, so what follows is a candid analysis of takeaway packaging: the good, the bad and the ugly!

 

McDonalds Stack Box 4/10

Not everything that’s inspired is a good idea and nor is it guaranteed to take off.

This new Mcdonald’s concept meal packaging is one of those…

mcdonalds packaging

We can see where the designer is going with this one, but, really, it seems to be trying too hard.

The sachets balancing on top are stressful and precarious at best and, essentially, we feel that there is too much that can go wrong with the stacked up top-heavy design.

A commendable design, but we think: just stick to a recyclable paper bag!

 

Scottish Munchies Box 5/10

Let’s be honest, there’s a whole host of things to do in the world that are no good for us, but by Jove we’ll do ‘em!

This wonderfully artisanal creation from our Northern neighbours is no exception to the host of guilty pleasures and ill-advised pastimes that we all secretly love, and what’s more, the innovative use of takeaway packaging to accommodate such a dark masterpiece is, well, inspired…

May we present to you, The Munchies Box!

Munchies packaging

What’s in it? Everything.

One pizza box, filled with everything (including cheesy chips and kebab meat).

We were a little divided on scoring this one but concluded that Scotland’s Munchies Box gets 5/10; 10 points for being so brazen and unabashed but -5 points for the terribly ugly packaging.

 

Hand-held Pie Packaging 8/10

You can’t go far wrong with something that’s really simple.

What you see is what you get with this top-notch pie packaging.

Pie packaging

It’s a cardboard sleeve that finishes in a nice semi-circle on each side to compliment the circular shape of the pie, but it doesn’t stop there!

Those very same semi-circle-shaped ends are actually flaps which fold right back on themselves to enable the eater to get stuck in straight away!

Of course, pies tend to be about a few degrees above scolding for roughly 3 hours, but once the wait is over, you’re away.

Recyclable, easy to serve in, easy to eat from, nice.

 

Pizza Plate 10/10

Now this we love!

Pizza packaging

And here’s 5 reasons why:

  1. Pizza is great
  2. It folds flat which means you don’t have to rest your wrists on the corrugated and harsh edges of a traditional not-flat pizza box.
  3. It’s got little cutlery holders which are adorable and very practical, because;
  4. Greasy fingers are not great.
  5. It folds up into a perfect carry case which is stylish and easy to hold.

Top marks for Pizza Plate.

 

Tuna Burger Box 7/10

This next packaging design concept scores quite high on our list.

As mentioned previously, we’re fans of keeping it simple.

Tuna burger packaging

An honest, cardboard box is tricky to criticise and, particularly where burgers are concerned.

The box aspect is greatly suited to catching any falling debris and burger goodness which means you don’t have to worry about being shunned by your pals if you go in for the ‘5 second rule’, but they don’t!

What makes this design especially enjoyable is the decoy writing on the side.

Most people think they’re getting a jacket potato, when in fact, they open up the simple box and BOOM! It’s a tuna burger!

 

Paper Cup Tea Holder 3/10

This tea holder does not fill us with confidence.

tea holder packaging

It would be great if you wanted to look as British as possible while drinking from a takeaway cup, because you can hold it like a china cup with your pinky finger extended and sip away dandily.

However, as a heat guard, we can’t understand why the traditional sleeve needs changing.

It doesn’t look study and we’re not convinced that the dainty looking holder has that ‘grab a coffee and go’ feel to it.

Here’s another thing I bet you hadn’t thought of: whose cup holder can accommodate that shape!?

We think this design is ‘over egging the pudding’ somewhat and the humble, yet sturdy and effective, heat sleeve ought to be left to doing the fine job that it does.

 

If you’re considering standing out from the crowd or shaking up the packaging status quo in your town, then give our team a call about custom design.

Posted on
How to make your packaging stand out from the crowd
Starbucks packaging

The Starbucks logo is a globally recognised icon and one which surrounds the household name.

A familiar face to crowded high streets with a calming-green background, it’s undeniable that Starbucks coffee cups stand out from the crowd… or is it?

Is it really fair to say that a plain white cup with a green logo jumps out of any picture or view and meets your eye instantly?

Probably not.

What is true, is that when you do see that green logo with the siren/maiden/lady thing, it’s unmistakably ‘Starbucks’.

Last December, and piloted initially in the US, Starbucks launched a packaging campaign so great they gained the highest number of video views that season for their campaign advert:

Over 76 million views in under 1.5 months!

They beat all other brands across the whole period of Thanksgiving through to New Year 2018!

How?

They made their already iconic cup unusual and exciting.

Starting with an initial concept for the design of the holiday-season coffee cup, the cup featured seasonal, warming outlines of images of Christmas and merriment; wrapped presents, snowflakes and coca, all nestled around the Starbucks logo.

Starbucks pink packaging
Credit: Starbucks

Their short video, below, simply explained that you can “make the holiday your own” then featured the newly designed cup changing colours – you design your own!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53EgSWqQOwE

The cups in the advert feature all different colour schemes, vibrant and bold.

Even if the cups were coloured in terribly, they would be an object of humour and still likely standout.

Artists and within-the-lines-perfectionists would have really gone for it, only for the cup to then serve as a work of art and, you guessed it, free, ‘boosted’ advertising for Starbucks!

The campaign ticked all the boxes for the consumer; interaction and engagement with the product/brand, something different, something exciting (adults get to be big kids), and most of all, something personal.

 

Top Tips For Standout Packaging

As with Starbucks, doing something different to other people similar to you, will go a long way towards making you standout.

Though no longer trading, Californian-based bakers The Crazy Good Bread Co, are an example of a company whose packaging stood out because it was unusual:

standout bread packaging

Doing something slightly ‘against the grain’ will help you to get your packaging noticed, and that includes packaging your bread in a weird card holder thing.

Staying ahead of the curve is another way for your packaging to to stand out.

At a time when environmental concerns have never been higher, ensuring that you fully embrace the green/eco-friendly approach to waste and packaging will serve you really well.

Given that there are many, many businesses yet to do so, you will establish your brand as a conscious and progressive company that listens to its customers and considers carefully its own ethos and attitudes – this is a powerful consideration that certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.

Have a think about keeping it simple.

An effective way to make your takeaway packaging stand out from the crowd is to strip back your packaging.

Consider simple paper-wrapping techniques fastened and sealed with a sticker featuring a strong logo.

Stickers can be custom designed with your logo and the simplicity of the packaging will seem intriguing in its modesty and harks back to a more traditional approach to packaging takeaway food.

 

If you’ve got some ideas that you’re not sure of or you’re looking for inspiration to build on an already outstanding packaging concept then get in touch with our in-house design time who will be happy to bounce some ideas around and offer some advice.

Posted on
Rowdey Cow’s Brand New Reusable Cups
Reusable Cups - Takeaway Packaging

We are very excited to share with you the Reusable Cups that we have produced for Rowdey Cow.

Reusable Cups from Rowdey Cow

Rowdey Cow opted for a black and white cup, printed with their logo – it looks great!

What is a reusable cup?
It’s pretty self-explanatory, a reusable cup is a cup that can be used time and time again. Often reusable cups have insulating properties that slow the cooling process of hot drinks down.

Where can I order them?
Right here! We can brand reusable cups for any business. If you need help with the design side of things, we can assist you with your initial ideas and help you develop them into the final product.

There are many options available when it comes to Reusable Cups. We recommend choosing a cup that meets the needs of your customers. Will it need a sleeve, a handle or perhaps more than one compartment?
If you aren’t sure – don’t worry! We can provide you with an array of samples to help you pick the cup best suited to you.

Talk to us about Reusable Cups.

Like this blog? Many large coffee chains are offering a discount to those who use a Reusable Cup, find out where you can get a discount for using a one here.

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Posted on
Compostable Food Boxes & Trays Available Now
Takeaway Food Boxes - Compostable - Takeaway Packaging

We are excited to share our new range of compostable takeaway boxes with you. These food boxes are made from a sturdy virgin Kraft board and are extremely versatile, being suitable for both hot and cold food.

Products Available
Nested Trays | Long Food Trays | Snack Boxes | Burger Boxes

Can we brand it?
We can brand these boxes with food safe inks. Our talented design team can create bespoke designs tailored to the nature of your business. Find out more about out design services here.

The Material
This Kraft is made from wood pulp, sourced from responsibly managed & sustainable forests. It is manufactured using a unique process to provide a higher durability, making it tear resistant. Products are lined with water resistant, plant based and biodegradable coating. These food boxes and trays can be recycled and are also compostable.

Features

  • Water & Oil Resistant
  • Recyclable and Compostable
  • Suitable for Hot and Cold Food

These products have been tested across a wide range of end of life options, you can find out more about these here. If you’re interested in any of these products, please get in touch with us for more information and to receive your unique quote.

Looking for other products? We are now the sole UK distributor for Ecoware. You can read all about our sole distributorship and view the full compostable range we have available here.

Keep up to date by following us on social media
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Posted on
3 Tasty Noodle Recipes
Takeaway Noodles

There’s an old Chinese proverb which says that the longer the noodles you eat the longer you live.

The Takeaway Packaging crew all agree that they want to live as long and as fully as possible, so we put our heads together, scoured dozens of recipes, heated our woks and trialled an insane amount of noodles.

We picked out the 3 best and easy to make noodle recipes that can be enjoyed on the go, in the office, in the park, and work perfectly in our bespoke noodle boxes.

No matter how long the noodles you serve to your customers, you can guarantee delight with these tasty recipes and impress with our customized boxes.

 

Asian Garlic (Spaghetti) Noodles

(For full details check out damndelicious.net)

Makes 4 servings
Prep Time: 30 mins

This recipe is amazing, quick and uses the ingredients you will already have.

No fuss, super delicious.

If you allow spaghetti to count as noodles then you can get some really long ‘noodles’ and you’ll basically live forever!

You need:
225g Spaghetti
1 tbsp olive oil
225g sliced mushrooms
1 diced red pepper
2 diced courgettes
1 grated carrot
2 tbsp fresh chopped coriander leaves

(optional) 350g peeled medium-size prawns

For the sauce
80ml reduced sodium soy sauce
3 minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp ground fresh chili paste (or more if you like it fiery!)
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
1 tbsp sesame oil

Directions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, chilli paste, oyster sauce, ginger and sesame oil; set aside.
  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta; drain well.
  • Heat olive oil in a large pan/wok over medium high heat.
  • If including add prawns, and 2 tablespoons soy sauce mixture, and cook, stirring occasionally, until pink, about 2-3 minutes; set aside.
  • Otherwise/then stir in mushrooms, pepper, courgettes and carrot to the wok.
  • Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Stir in spaghetti, (prawns) and remaining soy sauce mixture until well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with coriander.
Takeaway Noodle Recipes

Chungah Rhee: Image Source

Gluten-Free Mexican Chicken Noodle Soup

(For the original recipe head over to Heather Christo’s post on heatherchristo.com)

Makes 8 servings
Prep Time: 11 mins

Noodle dishes don’t always have to contain gluten and they don’t always have to be Asian.

This recipe is as interesting and different as it is delicious.

Delight your customers with this gluten-free takeaway option and rest assured they’ll be back!

You need:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 finely diced yellow onion
1 minced clove garlic
330g fresh chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1 litre chicken broth
180g diced celery
4 large peeled and diced carrots
1 ‘ear’ of corn (cut off the cob)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
435g cooked, shredded chicken breasts
227g gluten-free spaghetti noodles
Garnish: chopped avocado, cherry tomatoes, fresh coriander, lime wedges

Directions:

  • In a large pot, over medium heat add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the onion and the garlic.
  • Saute until soft and golden, 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the fresh tomatoes and cook, stirring in for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the dry spices and mix in and then the broth.
  • Bring the soup to a boil and then place a lid on the pot and turn to lowest heat, simmering for 15 minutes.
  • In the jar of a blender (in batches) or with an immersion blender, puree the soup base until smooth.
  • Add the diced celery, carrots and the corn.
  • Add the oregano and chicken breast and stir to combine.
  • Place the lid back on the pot and simmer for another 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente.
  • When the pasta is cooked, rinse well with cold water and then add to the soup.
  • Season well with kosher salt and garnish with chopped avocado, cherry tomatoes and fresh coriander; serve with a lime wedge.
Takeaway noodles

Heather Christo: Image Source

Vegan Spicy Sesame & Peanut Noodles

(Recipe courtesy of Kathleen Henry via produceonparde.com)

Makes 6 servings
Prep Time: 25 mins

Vegan dishes have never been more popular. Keep your offering current and your vegan customers raving about you with this scrumptious dish.

Winter woes be gone! This warming lunchtime go-to is a sure winner!

You need:
550g dried spaghetti noodles
1 bunch of fresh chopped broccoli rabe, florets and stems
35g white sesame seeds + more for garnish
60ml sesame oil
60ml + 2 tbsp soy sauce
60ml rice wine vinegar
3 tbsp vegan granulated sugar
3 tbsp sliced fresh ginger
2 heaped tbsp creamy peanut butter
4 large roughly chopped garlic cloves
1 ½ tbsp fresh garlic chili paste, to taste
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
4 fresh sliced green onions

Directions:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat for the pasta.
  • Cook according to the package, about 9 minutes, until al dente.
  • When there’s about 3 minutes left for the noodles to cook, add the chopped broccoli rabe to parboil.
  • Strain the noodles and broccoli rabe; return to the pot and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a small frying pan toast the sesame seeds over medium-low heat for about 5-8 minutes until slightly golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently (taking care not to burn). Place in blender once finished.
  • Add the remaining ingredients in the blender along with the sesame seeds, excluding the green onions.
  • Blend on high until super smooth.
  • Stir into the cooked pasta and broccoli rabe until well combined along with the green onions.
  • Serve warm with a smile!
Vegan Takeaway Noodles

Kathleen Henry: Image Source

Whether they’re Mexican, Asian, gluten-free, vegan, sticky, cold or warm, your noodles will look best in our fully customizable takeaway noodle boxes.

Reach out to our design team to make sure that your branded packaging stands up to the tastiness of your noodles.

And remember, long noodles = long life!

Posted on
The Eco-Friendly Future of Packaging
eco-friendly packaging campaign

Coffee shop owners are under increasing pressure to prevent the majority of their disposable coffee cups ending up in landfill sites.

The need for change in the packaging industry and the handling of packaging waste has never been greater.

So far we’ve witnessed the likes of coffee giants Starbucks and Pret A Manger offering a discount of up to 50p to customers who bring in their own reusable coffee cups.

However, take-up on this is still relatively low.

At Takeaway Packaging are now offering eco-friendly compostable coffee cups in order to further promote a low-waste approach to packaging.

Compostable Cup - Cobbs Farm

Importantly this will allow takeaway coffee vendors to take control of the situation themselves rather than relying on their customers to share the sentiment and bring in their reusable cups.

We believe that this is where the real changes can be made.

Outside of the coffee industry, global retailers are also starting to take note of the demand for a greener approach to packaging.

According to the charity Greenpeace, Coca-Cola are one of the worst offenders when it comes to environmentally harmful plastic packaging waste with an estimated 110 billion plastic bottles being produced and wasted each year!

The bottles are the most commonly found item on the ocean floor and amongst the debris during beach clean-ups.

To address this problem, Coca-Cola have pledged to collect and recycle all of its plastic bottles by 2030.

The supermarket chain Iceland has revealed plans to remove all plastic packaging from its produce by 2023.

McDonald’s, the world’s largest restaurant business, has committed to ensuring that all of its packaging will come from sustainable sources by 2025.

This is all part of a global initiative to solve a global packaging problem.

Eco-friendly pledge

The world’s largest producers of plastic and other materials harmful to the environment must adhere to new laws and regulations imposed on them to reduce waste; the PM Theresa May has pledged to ban all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042.

While these regulations may differ for smaller businesses, it is important that you do not get left behind as consumers are getting savvy and environmentally conscious.

Perhaps that most encouraging aspect of this global shakeup and endeavour to reduce waste is that the need for change is being demanded by the customers.

After all, just 1 in 400 cups are recycled, which is less than 0.25%, and as many as half a million coffee cups are littered each day in the UK.

Eco-friendly future

With more brands striving to be environmentally conscious, the compostable coffee cup is without doubt the right choice for any takeaway coffee business.

Unlike standard coffee cups which can’t be easily recycled due to their polyethylene (PE) lining, our compostable coffee cups are manufactured in either single or double wall and lined with polylactic acid (PLA).

PLA is a biodegradable plastic which is derived from renewable sources such as corn starch and sugar cane.

As part of our #TakeawayPackagingForChange campaign, we aim to convert all our existing customers to biodegradable and compostable food and drink packaging by 2020.

Consider your own approach to waste and how your use of packaging might be contributing landfill sites.

Get in touch to find out how we can help you to make the transition to recyclable packaging, your customers will love you for it!

Posted on
4 Fast Foods Set To Take 2018 By Storm
Street food packaging

There’s always an abundance of new fast foods to try. Whether it’s reborn again classics or healthy new concoctions from the latest hipster restaurant, fast food doesn’t just need to taste amazing; in the modern era it has to look amazing too.

Because fast food now has to satisfy another hunger: one for likes and comments on social media.

The importance of food aesthetics determines a large proportion of its popularity, but of course, there can be no sacrifice on taste.

Each year there are plenty of new food fads, here’s a rundown of some of our favourites you need to try in 2018.

 

Leon: Naturally Fast Food

Dubbed as the future of fast food, Leon is a rising star among fast food chains and the only feature in our list with a brick and mortar site.

Their founder wanted to move away from the realisation that conventional fast food “makes you fall asleep and wake up fat.”

Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, think falafel wraps, mezzes, beautiful club salads and Sicilian chicken meatballs.

They cater for veggies, vegans, nut allergies, dairy and wheat intolerances, pescetarians, pregnant women, dieters, the adventurous and those who are really hungry.

Go to their website and be amazed at the future face of fast food outlets.

Takeaway fast food

“Indian” Street Food?

More than ever before there is a demand for new flavours, bold colours and exciting textures.

These days consumers want detail and specifics.

Simply saying “Indian” won’t cut it, foodies want to celebrate that their goat meat gosht dabal roti is from the Far-Western Indian Streets of Gujarat.

Globally there is an abundance of goat meat, and yet, in the UK it’s seldom found on our plates or in our takeaway curry boxes.

2018 will see a surge in UK-bred goat meat offerings which is erroneously referred to as mutton in India.

Keep your eyes peeled for curries, samosas, bajis and dahls all containing locally-farmed British billies.

Warming, spicy, and full of amazing flavours.

Many spots in London are serving spiced or mango-infused goat’s milk to wash down their spicy delights.

Fast food takeaway

Celebrate Vegan

Doner kebabs have, for a long time, been a taboo in the UK, being mainly consumed as ‘drunk food’ for clubbers wanting to binge on greasy meat in pitta at 2am on a Sunday to soak up the night’s excesses.

How times haven’t changed.

Happily, while the not-so-authentically-Greek kebab vendors continue to serve their nocturnal market, vegans of London can have their kebab and eat it, even for lunch.

What The Pitta are based in Shoreditch (E1) and serve vegan doner kebabs crammed full with spicy soy meat, chilli, salad, hummus and tzatziki.

So popular is this animal-friendly street snack, that WTP are expanding and are due to pop up in two more popular London spots.

The best part? You don’t need to drink 10 jagerbombs before you eat one!

Vegan takeaway packaging

The Cholesterol Stroll

Let’s face it.

Healthy is good, but sometimes, it’s good to be bad.

If you like cheese, this one’s for you.

If you haven’t already been to South Bermondsey’s Maltby Street Market (SE1), then shame on you!

Set among the iconic railway arches and frequented by artistes, trendies and foodies, this market is a long alleyway which is, shockingly, unfamous.

Meander your way through the crowd and get in line for The Raclette Brothers.

Hailing from the Savoie region of alpine France, traditionally this cheese would have been melted over fires, but the guys at Raclette Brothers use special raclette grills that allow them to scrape waves of cheese onto herby potatoes and pickles.

Of course, you can opt for the sausage option which inevitably disappears under a sea of cheese.

Don’t worry, it’s aggressively-topped with maple-bacon crumb.

The key to this incredibly indulgent delight is to simply not think about it, just enjoy it.

You will not be dissapointed!

Pour-overs and lashings of melted Raclette cheese gives a whole new meaning to naughty but nice.

Packaging for Fast food

If you’re running a pop-up outlet or thinking about a street stall this summer, talk to us about our range of bespoke takeaway packaging options to serve up your hip bites quickly and in style.

Posted on
10 Inspired Coffee Puns for Valentine’s Day
Takeaway Packaging Valentines Day

Happy Valentine’s day all. Here are some classic coffee puns to brighten your day – enjoy!

Are you from Starbucks? Because I love you a latte
You are simply brew-tiful
Words cannot espresso how much you mean to me
Everything I brew, I brew it for you
You mocha me happy
I think you’re teariffic!
We’re a matcha made in heaven
Your puns are Tearrific
I’ve bean thinking about you
Ice Cold Coffee = Cool Beans

Heart-shaped coffee beans

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Posted on
Our Environmental Statement
Takeaway Packaging
#TAKEAWAYPACKAGINGFORCHANGE

Takeaway Packaging recognises that it has a responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. Our group of companies are committed to reducing our environmental impact and are continually improving our environmental performance as an integral part of our strategy and operating methods.

Our approach to takeaway packaging is changing . . .

Over the last few years, it has become more apparent that we need to consider and find ways of ensuring that the disposable ‘one use’ packaging we supply is more environmentally friendly. There are many misconceptions, due to the way packaging is often marked, that an item is recyclable, when in fact, it needs to be sent to a specialist facility.

Takeaway Packaging actively encourage customers to change their standard food packaging by offering alternatives that are recyclable, compostable or biodegradable.

We endeavour to

• Always offer our customers an alternative, environmentally friendly product
• Inform our customers of new developments and options available
• Use materials from sustainable sources

By 2020, we aim to convert all our existing customers to biodegradable and compostable food and drink packaging. We’d also like to take the opportunity to invite anyone thinking about switching to compostable products to get in touch with us for a full consultation.

Keep up to date by following us @TakeawayPack on Twitter or @takeawaypackaging on Facebook and Instagram

Takeawayn Packaging

Posted on
The Most Expensive Coffee in the World
craft coffee takeaway

The new year is underway and everyone is drinking more coffee to get them through the day.

Here at Takeaway Packaging our eyes are wider than ever and, though still Winter, we’ve certainly got a spring in our step.

You see, we like to road-test all our products in order to provide first-hand knowledge and advice to our customers.

This means we know just what it’s like to drink coffee from a Double-Wall cup versus a Ripple Cup and what that’s like over a Compostable Cup.

We’ve been drinking a LOT.

We have drawn the line at tastings of different coffees in the same cup (mainly for health reasons), but it has got us thinking (mainly in bed, late at night, unable to sleep), where in the world does the very best coffee come from?

What follows is a low down of the best (and most expensive) coffees the world has to offer.

As a benchmark for price, Starbucks’ House Blend retails at £3.50/200g bag of beans.

 

Blue Mountain Coffee – Jamaica

We start our journey 5,000ft above sea level in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. These mountains are famed for their rare, small-batch coffee plantations.

The beans undergo a meticulous process of grading and sorting which ensures quality consistency.

As an indication of this coffee’s rarity, the annual yield of Blue Mountain beans is about 0.1% of the coffee produced in Columbia, and nearly 80% of the produce is exported to Japan.

Because the plantations are so high, they are exposed to an abundance of heavy rainfall which contributes to enhanced growth.

All this rain makes for a particularly pulpy, fleshy fruit (referred to as the cherry) which gives this coffee bean it’s famous balanced and mild flavour.

Best price we’ve found: £40 /200g

fresh takeaway coffee

Kopi Luwak – Indonesia

Coffee snobs will have definitely been expecting this one, and possibly those with a passion for the, different.

Luwak coffee undergoes a very ‘special’ process in order to become the well-loved, revered and expensive coffee that it is.

The coffee fruit is eaten by wild, free-to-roam Asian palm civets. If you don’t know what a civet is, here’s a scientific description: it looks like a cross between a cat, a mongoose, a weasel and a racoon.

speciality takeaway coffee

Once the civet has finished chomping on the bittersweet fruit, the fruit is fermented inside the civet’s stomach during digestion.

The next step, if you haven’t already guessed, is retrieving the leftover coffee bean… from the feces.

It’s this delicate and time consuming process that makes this coffee so unique. Once roasted the end result is a sweeter-tasting coffee having been altered by exposure to the chemicals which aid the civet’s digestion process.

Best price we’ve found: £64 /200g
(Watch out for less ethically farmed varieties where the civet is not wild or free-to-roam)

Kopi Luwak takeaway coffee

Hacienda La Esmeralda (Geisha) – Panama

When someone speaks of coffee plantations, Panama is seldom the country that gets a mention. Rather, Panamanian coffee seems somewhat an unusual concept altogether.

Far west in Panama, the region of Boquete is home to highland, jungle-esque plantations responsible for some of the most expensive coffee beans on record.

What’s more, this Geisha variety of bean has cleaned up at nearly every major global coffee tasting awards.

Not only does it taste great but production is truly epic. Picking the coffee fruit is no walk in the park, instead it is back-breaking and tedious work.

Coffee pickers have to fight steep highlands, slippery slopes, heat, fire ants and snakes!

All this for an hourly wage of just over £1/hr.

Similarly to Blue Mountain coffee, growth is promoted by frequent rain which is enjoyed by the coffee plants for nine months of the year.

When not raining, shade is sorely needed as protection from the sun and this is afforded to the coffee plants by guava trees.

The yield is small and the production slow. The result is a very expensive coffee, but every self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur should strive to try it.

Good luck getting ahold of these beans as most of what’s produced is sold through specialist auction houses.

Best price we’ve found: £70.40 /200g

Takeaway coffee Panama

And the winner is..

Black Ivory Coffee – Thailand

Much like Kopi Luwak, here we have another coffee that undergoes an extra special process.

This time, however, the coffee bean is ‘refined’ by the Thai elephant!

Chiang Saen, the northernmost region of Thailand, where the country intersects Myanmar and Laos, is where Black Ivory coffee is made.

Part of what makes this coffee so extremely expensive is that the producer uses the very Panamanian Geisha beans described above.

The elephants are looked after extremely well by their Mahouts and they live a good life.

When the beans are ingested by the elephants it can take anywhere between 15 to 70 hours for the coffee to be digested and excreted.

As with the civet, an enzymatic reaction takes place in the stomach of the elephant.

Digestive acid breaks down the bitterness-causing protein in the coffee fruit.

Less protein equals less bitterness.

In general, herbivores utilize a lot more fermentation to digest their food which is great because it helps to bring out the sugar of the coffee and impart the fruit of a cherry into the bean.

Best price we’ve found: £162 /200g (USD$1,100/kg)

Black coffee takeaway cup

That’s over 46 times more expensive than the Starbucks House Blend.

Bear in mind that all of these prices are a retail price for beans. Price per cup at a cafe would be on another level!

Happily, the animal-dung process for creating sippable delicacies isn’t exclusive to the coffee world.

Tea-drinkers can now rejoice in the knowledge that a they too can get in on this recycled-goodness.
There have been some exciting plans in China to produce organic green tea which has been consumed by a panda bears.

Watch this space.

So whether it’s gone in and come out, drink in or drink out, talk to us about the best way to serve your coffee with our wide range of takeaway coffee cups.

Our bespoke design service means that your takeaway coffees can look as weird and wonderful as the coffee inside!

boutique black coffee
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Our favourite fresh Juice & Smoothie Bars in London
Smoothie Cups, Juice Cups

At Takeaway Packaging, we love Smoothie Cups…but we also love what goes inside of them! We’ve compiled some of our favourite Smoothie and Juice bars in London, let us know if you agree.

CYCLELAB & JUICE BAR

CycleLab & JuiceBar is an independent cycle shop with a remarkable café, offering fresh juices, smoothies, crepes and coffee. They also sell and repair bikes! Yoga fan? Every first and third Wednesday of the month they host Yoga classes from as little as £12 a session.
Visit their website

PORTOBELLO JUICE CAFÉ

Independent Café Portobello Juice Café is situated at 297 Portobello Road. They specialise in Juices, Smoothies and Super Smoothies. The Café only uses fresh fruits and vegetables from the local Portobello Market, sourced daily.
Visit their website

RAW PRESS

Raw Press is a health and wellbeing brand with 2 stores in Mayfair and Chelsea. They make raw, organic and cold pressed juices, nut milks, as well as salads, breakfasts and cleansing sets. We love their branding.
Visit their website

CRUSSH

Crussh is a large juice chain in London, specialising in made-to-order fresh juices, smoothies and salads. They press 10,000 raw juices every week and source all of their fruit and veg locally! Check them out.
Visit their website

JOE & THE JUICE

Joe & The Juice have locations all over the world (170 locations in 14 countries)! They are known for their great juice and employee parties, some even call it the future Starbucks! What do you think?
Visit their website

JUICEBABY

Juicebaby is a juice bar in Chelsea. All of their ingredients come from support local, organic farmers. They have launched some new matcha hot drinks today, and if you’re a fan of cleanses, they have five pressed juice bundles available to purchase online.

Visit their website