Deliveroo has introduced a new sustainable packaging box for food delivery, developed in collaboration with apprentices from Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

The packaging became available on Deliveroo’s packaging webstore and was created through a partnership involving Deliveroo, packaging company Biopak, and Sheffield Hallam University.

The project originated from Deliveroo’s 2024 Sustainable Packaging, which called on students in the Professional Packaging BSc apprenticeship programme to come up with a design that addresses spillages and helps maintain appropriate food temperatures during transport.

The packaging was required to be both sustainable and cost-effective.

The chosen design, by apprentices Josephine Shaw and William Shaw, features modifications to a conventional takeaway box, most notably the addition of a new locking mechanism.

This system uses extra cardboard folds to create a tighter seal and aims to keep food secure and warm as it travels from restaurants to customers.

William Shaw and Josephine Cooper said: “Seeing our design progress from a university project to a live product on the Deliveroo webstore is an incredible feeling. We focused on creating a locking mechanism that performs in the real world, and we’re proud to know our work can now be used by restaurants, reaching customer front doors across the UK.

“We hope this proves that sustainable packaging can be both highly functional and cost-effective.”

The design was produced to avoid extra costs, offering restaurant partners an option that addresses common delivery issues of temperature maintenance and leaks.

This development follows Deliveroo’s efforts to support the use of more sustainable packaging within the restaurant sector.

After the 2024 challenge, Deliveroo continued the competition last year, this time working alongside exclusive partners, including GAIL’s Bakery.

Deliveroo Packaging head Jen Bagshaw said: “We are constantly seeking innovative solutions to global challenges. Partnering with the talented apprentices at Sheffield Hallam University has been an inspiring journey, allowing us to champion the next generation of sustainable packaging designers.

"By providing the platform and financial backing to turn the students’ creative vision into a reality, we are thrilled to see this solution officially launch on our webstore for our partners to purchase."