07 Nov
07Nov

Trial to be 100% Plastic free.


◦It has not been Possible to source a 100% plastic free option for catering.

◦At this moment in time Trenchers Catering is 75% plastic free at point of delivery using our branded white Trenchers boxes.

◦The Only plastic we use is sadly the platter bags and dip pots.

◦The Card we use for platters is 100% recycled and locally sourced.

◦ We Recycle 75% of all rubbish discarded by the business = 2200kg per week recycled.

◦As soon as plastic free sustainable options become available, we will be the fist to use it.




Corn starch bags –

Pros

Compostable

Semi clear

Keep fresh

Moisture resistant


Cons

Looks terrible

Only small bags available

Looks like cheap plastic

Larger bags would need to be manufactured – cost above £10,000 as would need to buy 100,000

compostable


Verdict – not viable





Compostable bags-

Pros

Compostable

Clear

Keep fresh

Moisture resistant

compostable


Cons

Looks terrible

Only small bags available

Looks like cheap plastic dog poo bags

Larger bags would need to be manufactured – cost above £10000, would need to buy 100,000



White or brown Kraft bags-

pros

Largest bags available just about fit

Cheap

compostable


Cons

Look cheap

Easy to rip

Not moisture resistant

Looks terrible

Would not be able to use any wet products – sliced fruit or wetter fillings and salads

Paper is breathable, meaning bread will go stale very quickly.





Current only ‘plastic free platter available anywhere only’

Pros

Looks nice

Waxy box

Strong



Cons

Plastic lid

No wet fillings – sliced fruit

Only one size that I could find

Expensive - £3 per box and insert with min order of 100 of each.

Not compostable



Other option from leading biopac packaging manufacturer. (fibre box and lid)

Pros

Strong

Water resistant to a point

All catering can be used on this box

Looks good


Cons

It uses a hard plastic lid

Not compostable




Paper wrap

Pros

Clean

Can fit all sizes of platter boxes

Cheap


Cons

Not water resistant,

Compostable,

Very time consuming to wrap,

Air can get to the food as paper is breathable meaning bread would go stale quicker

Not easy to wrap quickly, we would need to do this whilst making every other lunch.

Would not be able to use sliced fruit or wet fillings as this would wet the paper

Looks only ok.





Manufacture a box with a lid (Walsall box company is our current supplier)

Pros

Looks good

Would be branded

Fit the catering perfectly as made to measure


Cons

Would cost the following to make the lids for our boxes……


1100 (min) – 250 x 178 x 40mm @ £352.00 per 1000


1000 – 330 x 245 x4 0mm @ £418.60 per 1000


Plus Cost of new artwork & Stereos per size @ £125 and £200


Need to store 2100 boxes – no room

Not water resistant – no sliced fruit

Clean

Compostable




Plates – standard for Bnp Paribas

We use a verity of plates however the lids used are hard plastic and the platter bags are plastic meaning this will not be a viable option anymore.





Trenchers Boxes.

Our standard packaging is Card Platters however to keep the food fresh and well presented we have to use plastic platter bags. The plastic platter bag’s and dip pots are the only plastic that we use to make and transport our catering. Our delivery boxes are card, our fruit is brought from the market plastic free.

Meaning we are 85% plastic free already which is at least 50% better than any of our competitors.

We are the only caterer to have allergen information on our card boxes packaging as standard.









And now a little something about our competitors.

competitors, please see pictures below




 





Lazy lunch – hard plastic lid and base Philpots – hard plastic lids and base