Thinking of setting up a new takeaway business? Then these are no doubt exciting times!
But amid all that excitement, it can be easy to overlook some of the important details – one of those being the type of food packaging you’ll be using.
While this may seem like a dry topic, it’s actually imperative you choose the right type of packaging, not least because it’s now the law to do so.
In this blog post, we’ll go over the food packaging you’ll need when you set up your business. We’ll also take a look at the rules on plastic as understanding this area is crucial if you want to stay out of trouble.
Change To Rules
Before we go into the specific items you’ll need for your fledgling business, you should be aware that there are now rules in place on the food packaging you can and cannot give to your customers.
Since September 2023, food businesses have been banned from using single-use packaging. The ban includes all online and over-the-counter sales and it covers packaging items from new and existing stock.
Trading Standards departments will have the authority to fine and prosecute any business not complying with the rules. So to avoid hefty fines, it’s best to abide by the rules and stick to biodegradable packaging.
As well as legal compliance, research shows that customers would rather shop with environmentally conscious companies, so boasting your green credentials with biodegradable packaging should foster customer loyalty.
Items You’ll Need
Now we’ve covered the importance of using biodegradable packaging, let’s take a look at what you’ll need when starting up your business.
Cutlery
Unless you’re serving just burgers or pizzas, chances are your customers will want cutlery to avoid getting messy hands when they eat their food.
But with the government banning plastic knives, forks and spoons, you’ll need to ensure the ones you offer to your customers are biodegradable.
Thankfully there are many sustainable solutions for you to choose from. Most of this cutlery is made from recycled wood, which is not only eco-friendly but also cost-effective, ensuring you stay within the rules without breaking the bank!
Napkins
When your customers have finished scoffing down your scrumptious food, there’s a good chance they’ll have sauce or grease on their hands and mouths. To help them clean up and ensure an enjoyable experience, napkins are always a great idea.
We offer a range of napkins which can even be customised with your branding if you wish. Or you may prefer to go with a plain option. Just make sure you provide something as your customers will appreciate it.
Kraft Boxes
Stong, sturdy and excellent insulators, whether hot or cold, kraft boxes make excellent containers for holding food.
Kraft paper is made from biodegradable paper that’s constructed out of wood pulp, which makes it an eco-friendly alternative to polystyrene.
We offer kraft food boxes wholesale, so if you want some greener, cleaner food containers then we’ve got you covered!
Kraft Bowls
As well as its use for making boxes, we manufacturers also create bowls out of kraft paper too. These are ideal for soups, sauces or noodle dishes as their deep construction helps keep liquid inside.
Again, the kraft paper helps to ensure your food stays hot and fresh, so your customers won;t be disappointed when they find their food has gone cold!
Kraft Bags
It’s our old friend again, kraft paper! This time it’s being used to create environmentally-friendly carrier bags as an alternative to plastic.
Supplying kraft bags allows your customers to carry their food without adding to the gazillion items of plastic disposed of each day. You can also show off your commitment to their environment with branded bags that act as a miniature advertising board wherever your customer carries it.
Pizza Boxes
If you plan to serve pizzas then you’ll need to invest in some boxes to keep them warm and protected.
In truth, pretty much all pizza boxes are compliant with the rules on single-use. Just make sure the ones you buy are compostable as these are more eco-friendly.
Paper Cups
Planning on serving drinks as well as food? Then obviously you’ll need some cups to serve them in!
These days, milkshakes and smoothies are insanely popular. What’s even better is the profit margins on these drinks are often huge! All you need is some ice cream, frozen fruit, a blender and some cups and you’re ready to whisk up something delicious and charge over a fiver a chuck!
Plastic cups are now outlawed, so you’ll need to source some compliant alternatives for your drink. Thankfully, you’ll find a wide range of paper cups on our website, all of them strong, durable and suitable for hot or cold beverages.
So that more or less covers what you’ll need if you’re opening a takeaway business. Obviously, your precise requirements may differ slightly and this is meant to swerve as a rough guide, but most businesses should be adequately stocked if they stock up with what we’ve suggested.
To summarise, for food, we offer burger boxes, kraft bowls, kraft bags and many other takeaway packaging items.
For drinks, we have various cups to choose from that will keep your drinks fresh and ensure your customers can enjoy your tasty creations without any spillages!
All of these items are fully compliant with the new rules put in place, so if you’re in search of a wholesale takeaway packaging supplier to help you stock up for your new venture, you’re in the right place!
If you would like to find out more about how Elpack Packaging Solutions can assist your business, or discuss your bespoke packaging needs, get in touch with our expert team today! Call us on 01425 524021 or drop us an email at info@elpack.co.uk
