Vegware has won a contract to supply the Royal Bournemouth Hospital with its certified compostable food packaging for two years, with n option for a one-year extension.
The group said the deal – won jointly with Bunzl and 3663 - disproved the misconception that its eco-friendly packaging was unaffordable. “This is the formal seal of approval that our compostable packaging is cost-effective, fully functional and genuinely sustainable,” said Vegware founder and managing director Joe Frankel
Hospital catering manager Terry Reeves said the tender process, which met all EU regulations, concluded that Vegware’s products “met the requirements of a value-for-money solution”.
Vegware will supply the hospital with compostable hot cups and lids, cold cups, napkins, cutlery, takeaway boxes and sandwich bags made from recycled or renewable plant sources rather than plastics.
The packaging waste will be collected by Eco Food Recycling (a partner in Vegware’s Food Waste Network, which collects waste food and packaging from caterers to convert into topsoil, biogas or compost) to be composted within six weeks at a site near Bournemouth Airport.
The hospital’s 68 catering staff serve in excess of 2,000 meals a day on average. Under the new contract, the hospital will save 4.4 tonnes of carbon and 5.1 tonnes of virgin materials each, and divert 11 tonnes of packaging waste from landfill.
Vegware claims to be the UK’s only completely compostable food packaging firm.