Burger King UK has become the first quick-service-restaurant corporation in the UK to trial a new range of re-usable and returnable packaging for its burgers and sides.
The pilot launch has been created in partnership with global re-use platform, Loop, and will see the famous fast-food chain try out the first ever re-usable burger container or ‘clamshell’.
The new range, which also features a re-usable cup, means Burger King UK will offer more sustainable packaging options than other fast-food competitors and quick-service-restaurants in participating sites in the UK, it says.
The new trial, which will be rolling out across five restaurants in Ipswich and Newmarket, will be closely monitored by Burger King UK, with customer response used to inform future plans for a long-term re-usable and returnable packaging scheme.
Consumer demand for more sustainable options is at an all-time high and the customer response to this exciting trial will be used to inform future plans for a long-term re-usable and returnable packaging scheme
The announcement forms part of Burger King UK’s plans to reduce carbon emissions, with a target of 41% reduction in value chain emissions per restaurant by 2030, and 0% single-use plastic by 2025. The pilot will run from 26 April 2022 until 5 September 2022.
To take part in the scheme, Burger King UK customers will have the option to pay a £1.00 deposit for a re-usable cup or container instead of using throwaway packaging, helping reduce single-use packaging consumption.
Customers can choose 10 Burger King UK products to be served in the Loop re-usable packaging including a range of sides, such as the Chilli Cheese Bites (six or nine pieces), as well as burgers such as the popular Whopper and the Crispy Chicken.
When customers return the re-usable cup or container, they can do so by downloading the Loop app, scanning the barcode on either the cup or container and returning it into a Loop bin. Loop bins will be placed outside selected Burger King UK restaurants where the trials are taking place, as well as in other locations found via the Loop app.
Customers who return their cups or containers will be refunded their deposit, with all returned cups or containers being professionally cleaned using Loop’s state-of-the-art cleaning system, scientifically designed to sanitise each item before reuse and then put back into the cycle.
Nicola Pierce from Burger King UK said: “We’re delighted to unveil a trial range of re-usable and returnable packaging for our restaurants. The launch of the new packaging from Burger King UK will include the first ever re-usable and returnable ‘clamshell’ for burgers and sides in the UK.
“We’re excited to see how the trial performs over the next five months and help us reach our goal of eliminating single-use plastic within our restaurants by 2025.”
Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of TerraCycle and Loop said:“The partnership between Loop and Burger King UK enables customers in selected UK restaurants a simple and convenient way to trial re-usable packaging when ordering their favourite burgers, sides and drinks.
“Consumer demand for more sustainable options is at an all-time high and the customer response to this exciting trial will be used to inform future plans for a long-term re-usable and returnable packaging scheme.”
Loop, the global re-use platform, works closely with manufacturers, retailers, and consumers in a bid to Eliminate the Idea of Waste. Loop partners with brands and retailers to shift from a disposable to durable supply chain, enabling customers to responsibly shop for a wide variety of commonly used products.