New research published during London Climate Action Week shows that 74% of the public want major sporting occasions, including the World Cup, to serve food in packaging that contains no plastic.
This summer’s tournament could generate enough single-use plastic waste to cover the equivalent length of more than 13,000 football pitches. FIFA’s recent decision to reverse its position on plastic water bottles is expected to increase the volume of waste.
The issue also extends to festivals, where more than 1.3 million disposable food containers are discarded during a typical UK festival season.[1]
Although awareness of plastic pollution continues to grow, avoiding plastic is not always straightforward. Many takeaway containers marketed as paper or cardboard contain a concealed plastic lining. Research found that 49% of people were unaware that most paper and cardboard takeaway boxes are treated in this way.
These plastic layers can prevent food packaging from being recycled and increase the likelihood that it will be sent to landfill, even when consumers believe they have disposed of it correctly.
Consumers are calling for greater transparency. Almost four in five people, or 79%, believe packaging should make it clear whether plastic is present. In addition, 80% think takeaway and supermarket packaging should be plastic-free wherever practical. These expectations are increasingly influencing food and drink consumer trends, as well as wider food and drink packaging decisions.
UK materials innovation business Xampla commissioned the research. The company develops plant-based, plastic-free materials for food packaging and is contributing to emerging food manufacturing trends and food processing technology.
Alexandra French, CEO of Xampla, said:
“The public care deeply about the environment and want to play their part to address the global plastic pollution crisis.Â
“Until now, consumers have had no choice other than to eat their half-time food in packaging made with plastic. Solutions like Morro materials are changing that, making it easier than ever for brands and businesses to offer genuinely plastic-free options.Â
“With millions of people attending festivals and sporting events this summer, there is a real opportunity for food businesses, the events industry, and manufacturers to demonstrate that scalable, plastic-free alternatives already exist.”
The findings were released as representatives from industry, government and campaign organisations met during London Climate Action Week to explore practical responses to global climate challenges. The discussion reflects the growing importance of food and drink industry innovation, food and drink sustainability and evolving food and drink regulations.
Continued concern about plastic pollution is also prompting foodservice operators to adopt natural alternatives at commercial scale. Earlier this spring, Just Eat Takeaway.com introduced plastic-free takeaway boxes featuring Xampla’s Morro Coating in 10 European markets. The development highlights how food and beverage industry trends are influencing packaging, supply chains and food and drink marketing.
Produced from natural polymers without chemical modification, Morro Coating is the only food packaging coating verified by the UK’s National Physical Laboratory as both plastic-free and exempt from the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD).
With international sporting events and festivals taking place throughout the summer, businesses and consumers have an increasingly accessible route toward plastic-free food packaging. The change also aligns with wider food distribution trends and growing demand for more sustainable solutions across the food and beverage industry.
