Most use a coated card material and often claim to be compostable, but there is only one that has so far been recognised as ‘plastic-free’ by a European state under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive.
Derived from seaweed, Notpla’s coating undergoes no chemical modification but uses the natural polymers to provide the grease and moisture resistance required by food boxes.
Conventional containers, as well as bioplastic alternatives, contain petrol-based coatings that either stick around forever or release harmful toxins.
The seaweed coated card, though, can be recycled with existing paper streams or composted, disappearing without trace - just like a fruit peel.
The development is part of the reason why the UK-based sustainable packaging pioneer Notpla won Prince William’s Earthshot Prize in 2022.
And Pierre-Yves Paslier, co-founder of Notpla will be one of the keynote speakers at the PSC Alliance Forum on November 19th, when more than 100 of the leading foodservice organisations and companies will be represented at an invitation-only event to discuss some key industry challenges.
He says: “At Notpla our mission is to reduce society’s dependence on plastic. We look forward to working with businesses across the EU to meet sustainability targets and make a tangible environmental difference. Our coated packaging will be exempt from upcoming bans and taxes on disposable plastic food packaging in any European country.”
England’s ban on certain single-use plastics came into effect on October 1st last year. The product already has the backing of Compass Group UK & Ireland, whose Payne & Gunter and Levy UK brands used it at last year’s BRIT Awards and at sports venues including Wimbledon, Twickenham and The Principality Stadium in Wales.
Pierre-Yves will be just one among a number of industry-leaders at the first-ever Public Sector Catering Alliance Forum which is taking place at the Leonardo Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire.
Other attendees include the heads of national catering organisations, senior leaders of the major contract catering companies, major sustainability groups, and charities. Other significant influencers, as well as high-profile food and equipment suppliers, will also be part of the event.
The Forum aims to widen the debate by offering a packed, day-long chance to learn from inspiring presentations, engage with interactive debates and mix with a full range of stakeholders.
It will bring together the industry at a single venue to discuss issues of common concern, such as food-price inflation, recruitment and retention, training, sustainability, food and plastic waste and the health impacts of growing obesity in the UK.