Deliveroo has introduced a takeaway box made from paperboard with a PLA lining, designed by students at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK and made by Biopak. The box is made up of biodegradable material, which is easy to decompose, made from plant-based material, and it has a new locking design to keep food secure.
Deliveroo's mention format provides an alternative end of life to conventional plastic and takeaway container which often are not recycled due to food contamination.
Jen Bagshaw, Head of Packaging at Deliveroo, said that we are looking for new and creative ways to solve global problems. Collaborating and working with talented apprentices at Sheffield Hallam University is for the next generation of sustainable packaging designers.
Students are provided with a platform and strong financial support to turn their creative vision into reality. Solutions are now officially available on websites, online stores, and for partners to purchase.
The reason for the partnership between Deliveroo, BioPak, and Sheffield Hallam University was to create a sustainable packaging challenge in 2024. In this challenge student was asked to design a takeaway box that stops spills and keeps food at the right temperature.
Josephine Cooper and William Shaw was winner for additional cardboard folds to form a more secure sealing system. In this competition, Josephine Cooper and William Shaw said that it was a breath-taking moment to see our project become a live product on the Deliveroo webstore, with an incredible feeling. Now we are working on creating a locking system that works in real life situation. We hope this step shows that sustainable packaging is reliable and affordable.
Compostable solutions
Deliveroo explains that plastic packaging with food on it is rarely recycled. Compostable packaging is a way to keep food-soiled packaging out of landfills and away from incineration.
More companies are showing interest in compostable packaging as a new idea with growing focus on sustainability and better end of life option. Recently, Packaging Insights talked with TIPA Compostable Packaging about its new compostable label, which will be showcased at Packaging Innovations 2026 this week.
Gary Tee, Vice President of Global Converting at TIPA Compostable Packaging, says most regular labels contaminate organic waste, which makes it difficult for composting facilities to process it properly.
TIPA Compostable Packaging’s compostable label fixes this problem, making packaging that works with a real composting system. New rules and regulations are moving toward making a compostable label the preferred choice.
As a sustainability on demand, Eco Product has launched reusable, recyclable, and compostable packaging in the UK. Customers can get this product in the UK through Vegware, which is the sister company.
At the same time, a board from the United States Department of Agriculture recently voted not to include some synthetic compostable materials on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, due to concerns about PFAS and microplastic contamination.
With its latest initiative, Deliveroo shows how the industry is trying to balance performance, cost, and sustainability in last-mile packaging.
12 March 2026
12 March 2026
12 March 2026
12 March 2026
