THE UK'S leading packaging supplier has officially unveiled its latest range of sustainable products to help takeaway and food delivery businesses when the single-use plastic ban comes into force this October (2023).

Grab-and-to market supplier, Tri-Star Packaging, says it was ahead of the curve on sourcing sustainable alternatives before the ban was announced as it already distributes in Scotland, Wales and Europe.

Sales Director at Tri-Star Packaging, Lee Richards says:

"The ban was announced by the English Government in January and will come into force in October 2023, allowing businesses time to prepare. Similar bans have already been made in Scotland and Wales, while single-use plastic straws and stirrers were previously banned in England in 2020.

"As we have clients in areas where the ban is already in place, we've already got this covered and can help hospitality businesses in this sector navigate the changes they need to make, easily and efficiently, as we have all the experience, expertise and the products in place."

The ban includes single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers.

According to Government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), England uses 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery, most of which are plastic, and 721 million single-use plates per year, but only 10% are recycled.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said in January:

"This new ban will have a huge impact to stop the pollution of billions of pieces of plastics and help to protect the natural environment for future generations."

From October, people won't be able to use or buy these products from any business including retailers, takeaways, food vendors and the hospitality industry.

Lee adds:

"For any caterers affected by the impending single use plastic bans on cutlery and plates, we're already prepared with a packaging offer made from a selection of compostable, renewable and recyclable materials that will help caterers replace affected product ranges. By reviewing packaging choices with expert advice from us, it possible to ensure that the most suitable, sustainable, long-term solutions are identified.

"For example, our innovative 100% compostable BePulp range combines sustainable design with exceptional performance and is made from bagasse – a material that comes from natural fibres, which are both abundant and renewable. Bowls, containers and trays are now available in a new shapes and sizes with optional clear and bagasse lids.

"Also, our new microwavable Infinity range represents the next generation of EPP packaging and is made from expanded polypropylene. Fully recyclable, it offers excellent thermal properties to keep food hotter for longer, while keeping the outside safe to the touch.

"Plus, our reCUP paper cups are engineered to be fully recyclable, as the lining is made with EarthCoating® – an innovative barrier coating that replaces up to 51% of the plastic used in non-recyclable paper cups with a mineralised resin blend which is fully compatible with conventional paper recycling systems.

"Meanwhile, our Bioware single wall hot cups are fully compostable, and our Enjoy range can be recycled through cup recovery schemes."

Tri-Star Packaging challenges manufacturers to push boundaries to develop new products and explore what's possible in food-to-go.

"We've just launched a range of kraft food boxes lined with Notpla Coating, an innovative special lining made from seaweed, which replaces the plastic coating usually used on foodservice products. Notpla won an Earthshot Prize from Prince William in December.

"Notpla Coating does not require specific recycling pathways or specialised industrial composting equipment to degrade, taking less than six weeks to completely decompose in a home composting environment. Our fully recyclable, Notpla coated kraft food boxes are grease and heat-resistant, stackable and easy to use."

Tri-Star Packaging is the nation's top go-to expert for bespoke packaging. It works closely with clients to provide innovative products that offer fantastic food presentation, add value and increase margins.

It specialises in takeaway and delivered food packaging, offering an extensive range of food-to-go products, bringing together the best in market sustainable foodservice packaging options for food and beverage delivery.

In just 25 years, the business has gone from a start-up to the UK's leading food-to-go packaging supplier.

This unrivalled combination of its passionate roots and full-service expertise, means it has an innovative team who live and breathe the food sector, plus it also has robust systems in place that build peace of mind.

Whether it's creating a unique product to build a brand or helping to solve a stock management issue, Tri-Star Packaging does it all.

For further details, please visit www.tri-star.co.uk.