The Disposables Configurator

With pressure on EU member states to follow the Single-Use Plastics Directive, 2019, our colleagues within INPACS (the European organisation of which Cherwell are a member, as reported in our last bulletin) have developed a Disposables Configurator to help customers with the identification of environmentally sustainable catering disposable products.

Although of course the UK is no longer a member of the EU, we recognise that many of our customers are keen to seek their own environmentally sustainable solutions when purchasing catering disposables. And this where we can help you drawing on the guidance provided by the Disposables Configurator.

What is it?

In essence the Disposables Configurator identifies the materials and their respective sustainability properties for a range of catering disposables used in variety of different circumstances. By using this information, you can then make a more considered purchasing decision, based on sustainability criteria.

How does the configurator work?

Simply tell us the catering disposables you need and the required performance (for example a disposable bowl for serving hot food); we can then use the Configurator to help guide you on the desirable (sustainable) materials from which the product should ideally be made.

The Configurator offers comprehensive guidance on the sustainable properties of a wide range of traditional and new materials, and the legislation governing their use. In particular, it provides useful advice on which materials:

• will likely be permitted for use in the future (and those which will likely be not)
• best recommended for maximising sustainable purchasing
• should be avoided for the sake of the environment

A simple example

As a simple example, let us say that you are looking for a disposable cup for hot drinks, has a lid and is broadly speaking a bio based product. Inputting these requirements into the configurator will produce the following results:

As you can see, there are a range of suitable materials from which the disposable cup can be made depending on the expected temperature of the contents. This list can then be used to advise on specific product purchasing options.

Act now to purchase more sustainable products

If you would like help with moving your catering disposable product purchases towards more sustainable alternatives please let us know. Call us on 01926 817585 or fill in the form on our contact us page to request more information.