A survey found that Britain’s ‘lunch on-the-go’ habit is generating nearly 11 billion items of packaging waste per year, much of it not recycled.
BM Caterers launched an eight-week trial at a client site in London from mid-August where disposable cups and hot food takeaway containers at the onsite restaurant were replaced with CauliBox reusables.
CauliBox containers are estimated to save 9.75l of water and reduce 237.5g of carbon dioxide emissions per use and have 92% lower CO2 emissions than a comparable compostable clamshell container.
Customers will be able to request a CauliBox or cup at the counter when ordering their food. The till operator will scan a QR code on the container and customers can tap a payment card to pay a £1 deposit. They can then return the containers at an AI-powered, self-service onsite collection kiosk for them to be washed and reused.
Regular returners will also earn ‘CauliCoins’ which they can use to obtain rewards, such as discounts on drinks or meals at the restaurant.
Antony Prentice, joint managing director of BM Caterers, said: “While looking for more ways to reduce our environmental impact, we were recommended CauliBox having heard some really good reviews about their reusables. We can’t wait to trial their reusable containers, which would have a huge impact on reducing our single-use waste and emissions.”