NEW YORK, NY - With meal kit delivery services still rising in popularity, sustainability is one challenge I continue to see discussions around. Packaging is one of the most efficient ways to make a product more sustainable, and Pratt Industries is just the partner to do so. The company was recently chosen by HelloFresh to introduce cardboard packaging made of 100 percent post-consumer recycled content for its HelloFresh and EveryPlate meal kits.

“Pratt Industries is honored to be part of HelloFresh's drive to be more sustainable,” said Chris Stanton, President, Pratt Specialty Group. “Building better packaging, with the ultimate goal of reusing that packaging yet again, takes a united, thoughtful approach. HelloFresh truly has a cutting-edge vision around sustainability, and our team is thankful for like minded environmental leaders.”

Pratt Industries’ cardboard boxes are made from 100 percent recycled paper, a press release noted. The performance-based packaging protects food while in transit, all while offering a more sustainable solution. Using these cardboard boxes to ship meal kits from HelloFresh’s Georgia and Texas distribution centers will contribute to meaningful, positive environmental impacts. This includes saving over 115,000 trees, 47.6 million gallons of water, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 6,800 tons in a year.

The introduction of this packaging supports HelloFresh’s long-term strategy to lead the industry in sustainable business practices. This includes offsetting 100 percent of its carbon emissions and leveraging a demand-driven subscription model that minimizes food waste throughout its supply chain and then sends only the exact ingredients customers need to make a meal.

“Our goal in changing the way people eat forever is to provide better access to fresh ingredients in a more sustainable way. This includes constant innovation, investment, and partnerships with sustainability leaders like Pratt Industries to improve the recyclability and minimize the environmental impact of our meal kit packaging,” said Uwe Voss, CEO of HelloFresh U.S. “The introduction of fully circular packaging is a significant and measurable step toward achieving our long-term sustainability strategy.”

HelloFresh is also implementing a new analytical Box Fit program, which assigns the smallest possible box size to a customer’s order based on the volume and size of contents. Using this enhanced algorithm in the fulfillment process has increased the use of HelloFresh’s smallest boxes to 60 percent, eliminating a significant amount of unnecessary packaging. The program also reduces the use of cold packs and insulation while increasing the number of boxes that fit on a truck for distribution.

“Our approach to packaging is to avoid using it whenever possible. When packaging plays an essential role in protecting the quality and safety of the food in our meal kits, we are committed to either reducing or optimizing it for recyclability,” said Jeff Yorzyk, Director of Sustainability at HelloFresh U.S. “Leveraging cutting-edge technology and the new 100-percent-recycled cardboard from Pratt Industries are two important steps toward continued leadership in sustainable packaging solutions for meal kits.”

How else will meal kit delivery services make their operations more environmentally friendly? ANUK will keep our eyes peeled for the answers.

Pratt Industries HelloFresh