Independent takeaway establishments and restaurants in London, Paris, and Madrid can apply for funding to help them focus on packaging reduction as they grow their businesses.
The Grants for Growth scheme is the brainchild of small business community, Enterprise Nation, via a partnership with quick commerce company, Uber Eats, and payments giant, Visa.
The programme has been created to help restaurants transition away from single-use plastic packaging to greener and more sustainable options. It is not clear yet exactly what the new type of packaging will be but those behind the scheme said 20 successful applicants will receive $10,000 each in credits (in the local currency) to spend on more sustainable packaging options with “an approved sustainable packaging supplier”.
The initiative is part of a broader $1 million year-long effort to support small business merchants who use Uber Eats to grow their businesses in cities such as Los Angeles and New York.
Pierre-Dmitri Gore-Coty, senior vice president & global head of delivery for Uber, commented: “On behalf of Uber Eats globally, I’m very happy to be working as part of this coalition to help restaurant owners reduce packaging waste and contribute to the fight against climate change.
“Single-use packaging is used in nearly every takeout order worldwide – with our restaurant partners we can work towards reducing waste and helping small businesses thrive.”
Reflecting on the need for packaging reduction, Emma Jones, founder & CEO of Enterprise Nation, said: “In an ideal world, everyone would like to do their bit by reducing unnecessary collective waste, but the transition can often be unaffordable, and beyond reach for many small businesses.
“This programme breaks the cycle and addresses the initial financial burden of purchasing more sustainable packaging.”
Douglas Sabo, chief sustainability officer at Visa, remarked: “With consumers continuing to express desires to live more sustainably, businesses across sectors have a notable opportunity to adopt more sustainable practices to meet this demand.”
The focus on packaging reduction comes as there is growing interest in packaging strategy within the business community. The organiser of London Packaging Week, which takes place on 21-22 September at the capital’s Excel venue, said it is on course to achieve a record number of registrations.
Easyfairs announced today (13 June) that hundreds of the world’s biggest suppliers and thousands of designers, packaging developers, marketers, founders, and buyers are expected to attend the autumn event.
Fable & Mane co-founder, Akash Mehta, and Mulberry founder, Roger Saul, are among the speakers at the event.
[Image credit: Green Retail World]
