SUSTAINABILITY:
ON-SITE AND TO-GO
Several companies are stepping up to the plate when it comes to providing eco-friendly foodservice packaging — from compostable window and sandwich boxes to cruise line breakfast serveware made with recycled materials.
By Brad Addington
Foodservice packaging — already a huge market — is on an expansion path.
Mordor Intelligence pegs the size of the global foodservice packaging market at US$134.20 billion in 2025 and expects it to reach US$164.70 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.18% during the forecast period.
Not surprisingly, Mordor says sustainability has emerged as a critical area of focus in foodservice packaging.
“The growing environmental consciousness among consumers and stringent regulations regarding plastic usage have pushed vendors to prioritize sustainable and recycled packaging solutions,” Mordor notes, adding that major foodservice chains “are actively transitioning from traditional packaging materials to more environmentally friendly alternatives.”
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In this article, we put the spotlight on companies that are making headlines for their novel approaches to sustainable foodservice packaging.
Novolex® recently announced the launch of Power Prep™ bags and rolls for grab-and-go hot sandwiches and other premium to-go fare. An important feature of Power Prep is that its oil- and grease-resistant properties are achieved without added PFAS.
Colpac’s Tower Trays™ offer a multi-purpose packaging solution that is getting early interest from sports stadiums and high-end burger chains. They can be easily filled as standalone trays back-of-house, thanks to wide apertures, and served on-site or handed directly to customers. Additionally, they can be interlocked as a base and lid to take away, with closures that can be secured in seconds.
When it comes to sustainable foodservice packaging, even cruise lines are getting in on the act. Norwegian Cruise Line recently teamed up with sustainable serveware provider Drinique to introduce a simplified in-room breakfast experience using a new line of reusable bento box-style serveware made with 50% certified recycled materials.
Finally, Restaurantware — already known for its eco-friendly and innovative foodservice supplies — recently announced the latest addition to its impressive product portfolio: the Sustain collection. This new line provides fully compostable alternatives for over 40 popular packaging items that typically aren't available in compostable varieties — like window boxes and sandwich boxes.
To learn more about these game-changing foodservice packaging solutions, read the full stories below.
Novolex Launches PowerPrep Bags and Rolls for Grab-and-Go Products
Novolex®, a leader in packaging choice, innovation and sustainability, has launched Power Prep™ bags and rolls for grab-and-go hot sandwiches and other premium to-go fare.
Manufactured by Bagcraft®, a Novolex brand, the new multilayered bags and rolls keep foods at the height of flavor as they are wrapped, frozen, thawed, reheated and held under heat at the point of sale. The bags ensure customers can savor delicious hot sandwiches, bagels and other fare that were prepared, wrapped and frozen at another location.
Designed for convenience stores, supermarkets and other foodservice operators, Power Prep bags and rolls help satisfy America’s growing hunger for top-quality prepared food to-go. They join Power Prep wraps, introduced in 2023, as the latest innovation from Bagcraft to provide packaging choices for grab-and-go foods.
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“With an insulated, four-layer structure, Power Prep ensures ready-to-eat food stays as flavorful as the moment it was made — assuring fresh taste and top quality with every bite,” said Rick Brown, Senior Vice President, Sales of Novolex. “Power Prep redefines the grab-and-go experience, offering a truly innovative approach to making, freezing, distributing, selling and savoring sandwiches and other fare.”
Novolex developed the Power Prep line because convenience stores, supermarkets and other foodservice operators are increasingly using central kitchens to prepare grab-and-go food options. Power Prep packaging protects and maintains the quality of food, controlling moisture and heat in multiple temperature environments.
Power Prep is made with oil-and-grease-resistant paper, achieved without added PFAS. This paper is laminated to a liner with a honeycomb structure to create an insulated layer.
Among the features of Power Prep:
- Uses a lamination that offers anti-curling capabilities to enable flat sheeting, saving time and improving preparation because foods can be quickly wrapped and frozen at scale.
- Demonstrates superior puncture-resistance compared to foil or a foil/paper structure, creating a more practical alternative.
- Allows for custom printing to showcase branding and promotional messaging.
Learn more about Power Prep and other Novolex products.
An important feature of Novolex’s Power Prep is that its oil- and grease-resistant properties are achieved without added PFAS.
Courtesy of Novolex
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Colpac Provides Foodservice Versatility with Tower Trays™
Colpac’s new and improved Tower Trays™ offer a convenient, multi-purpose packaging solution. They operate as single trays to eat from in-store or can be locked together to form a secure box to-go, enabling flexibility for foodservice operators.
Safe for use with hot or ambient dishes, the trays are well suited to Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), street food and event catering, with early interest from sports stadiums and high-end burger chains. Whether foodservice operators are looking to serve burgers and fries at a dine-in outlet, or package loaded nachos to-go within a busy arena, Colpac’s Tower Trays™ offer simplicity and functionality.
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They can be easily filled as standalone trays back-of-house, due to wide apertures, and served on-site or handed directly to customers. Additionally, they can be interlocked as a base and lid to take away, with closures that can be secured in seconds. This, combined with their unique silhouette, offers a point of differentiation in a crowded market.
For foodservice providers that are short of storage back-of-house, Colpac’s Tower Trays™ reduce SKUs required as they are functional as trays and/or bases and lids. They offer additional space efficiency as they are nested in transport and storage.
Working with customers to gather feedback throughout development, Colpac developed four sizes across square and rectangular formats. With medium and large tray depths for each shape, the sizes can be used interchangeably to suit food contents. The square Tower Trays™ offer similar dimensions to a traditional clamshell and the rectangular tower trays are suitable for larger dishes such as pie and chips or even fries to share.
“We are excited to launch our newly designed Tower Trays™ into the market as part of our ongoing product development program,” says Kate Berry, Head of Marketing and Product, Colpac. “The new formats offer flexibility across usages and configurations, making them a multi-functional packaging solution.”
The Tower Trays™ are manufactured at Colpac’s factory in the South of England, minimizing lead times for UK and European customers. They are made from FSC® certified, recyclable and compostable paperboard which contains recycled material.
Colpac’s Tower Trays™ can be easily filled as standalone trays back-of-house, thanks to wide apertures, and served on-site or handed directly to customers. Additionally, they can be interlocked as a base and lid to take away.
Courtesy of Colpac
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Norwegian Cruise Line Debuts Reusable Serveware for In-Room Breakfast
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, is teaming up with sustainable serveware provider Drinique to introduce a simplified in-room breakfast experience using a new line of reusable bento box-style serveware made with 50% certified recycled materials. The new serveware provides a compact and convenient way for guests to enjoy their breakfast without the weight and bulk of porcelain plates while also eliminating the need for plastic cling wrap, making for a more sustainable experience.
Offering an innovative product made from durable and long-lasting sustainable reusable materials, Drinique’s bento box-style serveware is made with Eastman Tritan™ Renew, a durable plastic powered by Eastman’s innovative molecular recycling technologies that sources hard-to-recycle waste to keep it out of landfills. This new serveware, designed to work well in fast-paced food service environments, will replace traditional porcelain dishes for in-room breakfast service. The reusable serveware is being used for in-room breakfast service aboard Norwegian Prima® and Norwegian Viva® first and will be rolled out across NCL’s entire 19-ship fleet before the end of the year.
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“We are excited to help companies like NCL drive change to meet their environmental goals,” said Andrew Elliott, President of Drinique. “By leveraging the sustainability and durability of Tritan Renew, we aim to help our partners innovate and continue to provide guests with an effortless dining experience while reducing single use plastic waste across the globe.”
This new initiative is just one of the many ways Norwegian is showing it’s committed to driving a positive impact on society and the environment through its global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain™. In 2018, NCL became the first major global cruise line to eliminate single-use plastic straws across its fleet and private destinations as well as single-use plastic water bottles in 2020. To date, these efforts have resulted in the elimination of more than 27 million single-use plastic water bottles and 77 million plastic straws.
“As part of our commitment to reduce the use of single plastic on board, we continuously search for opportunities to implement new environmentally friendly practices, while keeping our mission of delivering more experiences so our guests can vacation better with us top of mind,” said Mark Kansley, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations at Norwegian Cruise Line. “We’re excited to continue to work with Drinique to introduce these new reusable bento boxes across our fleet and continue doing our part to protect and preserve the environment.”
To learn more about on NCL’s Sail & Sustain™ program, click here.
Norwegian Cruise Line recently teamed up with Drinique to introduce an in-room breakfast experience using a new line of reusable bento box-style serveware made with 50% certified recycled materials.
Courtesy of Eastman
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Restaurantware Expands Eco-Friendly Foodservice Packaging Portfolio
Restaurantware, the leading manufacturer and distributor of eco-friendly and innovative foodservice supplies, recently announced the latest addition to its impressive product portfolio: the Sustain collection. This new line provides fully compostable alternatives for over 40 popular packaging items that typically aren't available in compostable varieties — like window boxes and sandwich boxes.
Many items in the Sustain collection are crafted using bamboo paper — one of the world’s most rapidly renewable resources — and lined with PLA bioplastic to ensure a completely compostable solution. Alongside bamboo paper, the collection features products made from kraft paper and other plant-based bioplastics, providing a wide range of eco-friendly options for foodservice professionals looking to make more sustainable choices.
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The Sustain collection includes everything from hot and cold cups to takeout containers and specialty items such as noodle and taco containers. These products are designed to meet the needs of today’s eco-conscious consumers while maintaining the high quality and stylish presentation that Restaurantware is known for.
“Our Sustain collection embodies our commitment to purposeful innovation and sustainability,” said Jamil Bouchareb, CEO of Restaurantware. “By introducing fully compostable alternatives in categories previously reliant on non-compostable materials, we are redefining the possibilities for sustainable foodservice.”
The launch of Sustain comes on the heels of a newly AI-enabled website and Restaurantware’s recent recognition as a 2024 Silver Stevie Award Winner for Products in Sustainability & Climate Protection Status. These dynamic growth markers at every level of the business’s operation underscore Restaurantware’s leadership in creating a greener future for the foodservice industry.
With the majority of SKUs now available now on Amazon and Restaurantware.com, the Sustain collection caters to various business needs with pack sizes ranging from 10-count to 2,000-count boxes. The full collection became available in October 2024.
Learn more about Restaurantware and the Sustain collection.
Restaurantware recently announced the latest addition to its product portfolio: the Sustain collection. This new line provides fully compostable alternatives for over 40 popular packaging items that typically aren't available in compostable varieties — like window boxes and sandwich boxes.
Courtesy of Restaurantware
