Brakes is Boxing Clever with New Packaging Policy

Following the completion of its 2ZERO20 pledge, which saw the removal of all hard-to-recycle black plastic from its own brand products by December 2020, Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler, has launched new packaging guidelines aimed at further minimising the company’s environmental impact. With the launch of the new guidelines, Brakes has reinforced its commitment to ensuring that suppliers maximise the use of materials that are recyclable, reusable or compostable where appropriate, underpinning Brakes CSR requirements.

Marcel Obry, Senior Product Development Manager, at Brakes, said: “2ZERO20 was an important milestone on our packaging journey. But it was always going to be a starting point and the creation of these packaging guidelines help us take the next steps.

“Across all packaging materials, our suppliers now have a very clear understanding of what we expect and understand how we can work together to reduce our environmental footprint.”

While the guiding principles of the policy are to maximise the opportunity for physical recycling, reuse or composting, they also cover the minimisation of waste; reducing carbon to produce and transport packaging; and minimising the use of resources throughout the production process.

In addition to ensuring that relevant legislation is met, Brakes is now providing guidance on which packaging materials to select and those to avoid, for example using mono materials rather than different plastics with similar density ranges; avoiding strongly coloured plastics; and using unpigmented polymers. It is also increasing the percentage of recycled materials too, with greater than 30% within the plastics used where practically possible within legislative requirements.

The company, which became the first wholesaler to set up a Supplier Packaging and Waste Forum in 2018, is also working with suppliers to implement clear on-pack recycling information to make it easier for customers to identify the correct waste streams to improve overall recycling levels.

Obry concludes: “Customers have been very clear that they expect us to work with suppliers to minimise the environmental impact of packaging and we’re happy to do that. Brakes has taken a proactive lead on many CSR areas, including packaging and the launch of the new packaging guidelines ensures that we will remain at the forefront of best practice within the industry.”

The packaging policy is the latest step in Brakes’ award-winning CSR programme, which focuses on People, Products & Planet, ensuring that we support every community we engage with, source our products responsibly, and protect the natural resources of our planet, helping to ‘deliver a better tomorrow’. So, whether you order products from Quorn, Tetley Tea, McCain, Callebaut or any of our other brands, you can rest assured that your order will be packaged sustainably!