Our Progress
What We're Doing Right Now
We see a world facing climate change, plastic pollution and depleting resources. The time for action is now. So we’re disrupting the current take, make, waste model and leading the way toward a truly circular economy.
Renewable Materials
We use rapidly renewable, plant-based materials designed for the circular economy. A sustainable alternative to regular plastic. We also continually invest in new technology and material innovations.
Aqueous
Aqueous cups are manufactured using a unique waterproof barrier coating, reducing the material needed. Each cup is leakproof and durable.
Plant Fibre
Plant fibre is made from bagasse (sugarcane pulp). A versatile, strong and inexpensive solution.
PLA Bioplastic
PLA is from plant-based resources like corn and cassava. BioPak's PLA products are certified industrially compostable.
FSC™ Paper & Birchwood
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC™) logo means that our wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Ethical Supply Chain
We’ve set a standard to make sure our people are treated fairly, our products are safe and our planet is protected. We source FSC™ certified wood and our manufacturing facilities are certified to ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, or are in the process of applying for certification.
Why Do Certifications Matter?
We are committed to achieving complete supply chain transparency.
Supply Chain Transparency
We are committed to achieving complete supply chain transparency.
Ethical Sourcing Policy
Our ethical sourcing policy is a key element in our commitment to sustainability
Modern Slavery Statement
It is our corporate responsibility to take an active role in addressing potential risks.
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Why Do Certifications Matter?Certifications prove that a company or product’s claims are true.
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Responsible Sourcing PolicyOur responsible sourcing policy is a key element in our commitment to sustainability.
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Modern Slavery StatementIt is our corporate responsibility to take an active role in addressing potential risks.
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Composting Solutions
We see composting as the best end-of-life solution for food packaging. And we recognise that in creating certified home and industrial compostable packaging products, we’re also responsible for where they end up. That’s why we started the UK’s first national composting network – Compost Connect is a not-for-profit compost network connecting food service businesses directly with industrial composters.
How to Compost at Your Business
Sign up to your local compost service and start diverting your food scraps and BioPak packaging from landfill today.
Recycling Vs. Composting: Which Is Better For The Environment?
Which is more sustainable when disposing, composting or recycling?
What Are The Different Types Of Composting?
There are a number of composting methods that are suitable for different materials.
Biodegradable Vs. Compostable Packaging
Which option is better for the environment? Read more to become an expert!
Profit for Purpose
We believe in using business as a force for good. Our B Corp certification recognises our commitment to social and environmental performance and public transparency. Through our Give Back Fund, we donate 5% of our profits to environmental and social charities. Since 2012, we have dedicated our time, energy and almost £2.2 million.
What It Means To Be A BCorp
The B Corp movement has been pioneering a new way of doing business, which requires increased stewardship and a real shift in priorities.
Give Back Fund
As a profit for purpose business, we are driven to preserve and protect the environment and give back to the communities we live in.
Charity Partnerships
Meet the charities that BioPak has partnered with through our Give Back Fund!
Compost Connect
A not-for-profit platform that’s committed to education, lifting composting rates, and connecting businesses to compost pick-up services.
Challenges We Face
We’re proud of our efforts so far, but we still have a long way to go. There’s been changing legislation, evolving materials and sustainability setbacks. We’re acknowledging and stepping up to these challenges.
PFAS Discovery
PFAS (AKA forever chemicals) are found in almost everything. BioPak has discovered PFAS in a small range of BioCane products. We’re moving quickly to completely phase out PFAS in our production by June 2024 – this will make us the first in our industry.
Disposal
Making sure all of our packaging ends up in the right place remains an ongoing challenge. There’s currently no national mandate to implement food waste collection in the UK. BioPak encourages and works with the government and local councils to implement firmer targets and stronger regulations to collect food and packaging waste.
Emissions Reduction
2022 was our last year of being certified carbon neutral. It’s now clear that offsetting a business footprint isn’t going to be enough to slow down climate change. Instead, we’re reinvesting the 1% of profits we’d usually spend on carbon offsetting into our Emissions Reduction Plan.
Industry Greenwashing
Unfortunately, greenwashing and misinformation are rife in the packaging industry. Other products may claim they’re compostable, recyclable or source materials from sustainable forests. But without certifications, these claims are likely to be greenwashing.
Our Carbon Footprint Breakdown
29% Raw materials & Product Manufacturing
Materials used for the production of our products, such as sugarcane pulp, wood, paper and PLA and the process to transform the raw materials into the final product.
Benefits of Bioplastic: Manufacturing Ingeo™ bioplastic produces approximately 80% less greenhouse gases and uses approximately 52% less non-renewable energy than traditional plastic.*
5% Packaging
Packaging used for protecting and transporting our products.
8% Product Freight
All shipping and road freight required to transport our products from the factory to our local warehouses, and then to our customers.
0.4% Organisation Operations
BioPak’s office activities include electricity, IT services and equipment.
57% End of life / Disposal
We created Compost Connect, a platform to connect food services businesses with industrial composters to ensure as much of our packaging is composted as possible, instead of going to landfill.
Let’s achieve zero waste and our collective carbon footprint is reduced to a third!
How We're Taking Action
To achieve our mission of a world without waste, we can’t just rest on what we’ve already done. We’re looking to the future and finding ways to do better.
Phase Out PFAS
Currently, we have launched an initial PFAS-free bagasse range and have made a commitment to fully transition away from products that contain PFAS by June 2024.
100% Home Compostable
Our aqueous cups are certified home compostable! But we’re not stopping there. Within 12 months, we plan to launch a fully plant-based version based on a bioplastic PHA – a new material certified to biodegrade in marine environments.
Emissions Reduction Plan
We’ll invest the 1% of profits we usually spend on buying carbon offsets into our new Emission Reduction Plan. This will fund research, education and advocacy projects to grow the availability of composting as an end-of-life option in the markets we operate in.
Leading the Compost Charge
Rather than waiting for composting infrastructure on a large scale, we’re doing what we can now. Our not-for-profit composting initiative, Compost Connect, is growing access to organic recycling and sparking widespread change.
Certifications and Education
We’re committed to unmasking greenwashing through education. We’re transparent about the certifications consumers should expect from businesses. Because without certifications, compostable, recyclable or sustainable claims are likely to be greenwashing.
Designing for the Circular Economy
In a circular economy materials are reused and leave no waste. We’re working toward a world where all of our products can end up in an organics recycling stream, which will then return nutrients to the soil and help grow more plants.
Environmental Impact Transparency
BioPak has launched our Environmental Impact Label, outlining the ‘eco-costs’ in each product description on our website. This will increase transparency, accountability and our commitment to combating greenwashing.
Success Stories
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ZAMBRERO: Joined Compost ConnectZambrero becomes the first club member of Compost Connect UK!
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DIFFERENT DOG: Combine Sustainability and QualityDifferent Dog choose plastic-free packaging for their dog food.
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DELIVEROO: Provide Sustainable PackagingDeliveroo prioritises sustainability by supplying plant-based packaging.
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Download the BioPak 2023 Sustainability Report
The past year has seen incredible growth and changes for BioPak. Read all about it.
Together We Are Making a Difference
We work with industry, governments, customers and consumers to develop systems and invest in innovative materials to shape the future. This can’t be done alone – it’s critical that manufacturers take responsibility for their products and work with industry and consumers to create an economic model where we work with the planet, not against it. Collaboration is the cornerstone of our success.
Start Composting at Your Foodservice Business
Compost Connect is a not-for-profit platform connecting foodservice businesses to commercial organic waste pick-up services. Compost Connect is powered by First Mile, providing a pay-as-you-go service, making compostable packaging collections more accessible across the food service sector.
We launched Compost Connect to take responsibility for where our packaging ends up. Food and organic waste decomposing in landfill emits methane, a greenhouse gas that’s on average 28 times more potent than CO2. By joining Compost Connect, you’ll be diverting waste from landfill, reducing emissions, showing your commitment to environmental sustainability, and turning your food and packaging waste into nutrient-rich compost!
