Gone are the days when takeaways were only related to fast food options. The rapid rise of takeaway apps has seen in an explosion in the number of eateries available at the touch of a button, from independent restaurants to multinational chains, quick bites to gourmet feasts – everything is available on demand, anytime, anywhere.

Customers’ appetites for delivery and takeout options has increased since the pandemic, with more users becoming accustomed to ordering online or by telephone whilst their favourite restaurant was closed during lockdowns. Global revenue of online food delivery was $110 billion in 2017, revenue more than tripled during 2020 and 2021 and now stands at $440 billion and is expected to rise to over $500 billion by 2027.

The meteoric rise in popularity of food delivery is worldwide, and the patterns are seen in all major markets. However, the massive increase in takeout and delivery is also creating a massive increase in the amount of single-serve packaging and waste. Single-use plastic containers and lids, utensils and straws, wrappings and bags, required to safely transport food from the restaurant to the consumer – but producing a mountain of waste that can pollute the planet for hundreds of years.

Recycling is often impractical for food containers, due to the contamination from food residues – meaning the vast majority goes into general waste for landfill or incineration. While orders continue to rise, consumers are also demanding more eco-friendly options, and many report that they are willing to pay a higher price for sustainable packaging. Without compromise on convenience or functionality, discover truly sustainable alternatives for takeaways:

Disposable cutlery and utensils

Cutlery is one of the oldest tools of humankind, and has evolved over recent decades in its single-use-plastic form to become one of the most littered items around the world. In the United States alone, it’s estimated that 40 billion plastic cutleries and utensils are disposed of every year.

But replacing plastic cutlery with cutlery made of Solinatra is a truly sustainable solution for businesses to thrive in the midst of plastic bans around the globe.

Solinatra cutlery is designed for customer delight. Unlike wooden cutlery that leaves a strange texture and taste, Solinatra cutlery is smooth and has no taste or smell. And unlike other disposable options, Solinatra contains zero plastic or fossil fuel based ingredients. Its rigid and durable properties make Solinatra the truly sustainable alternative for slicing or scooping in a practical way for dining on-the-go, at home or in the office.

Switching to Solinatra cutlery helps restaurants and cafes cater to eco-conscious customers while actively lowering their carbon footprint, contributing to zero waste, and minimising plastic pollution in our oceans. Click here for more details about Solinatra cutlery.

Single use straws

Despite being one of the major plastic problems, the convenience of single-use straws is undeniable. It's become a necessity whenever we have takeaway beverages, whether it's smoothies, sodas, or coffee. However, with the growing amount of plastic pollution coming from straws — 500 million straws are used every day in the US alone.

Plastic bans and environmental concern have increased the popularity of paper straws, but while it seems like a better option, a study from the University of Antwerp found that paper straws contain more forever chemicals than plastic. Paper straws are also not so durable, as they get soggy during use, and can become a choking hazard for children and people with disabilities.

Solinatra materials are ideal to overcome these challenges and provides a comfortable drinking experience for everyone. Straws made of Solinatra look and feel like their plastic counterparts, without any of the drawbacks. Solinatra straws are smooth and flexible, and unlike paper straws they don’t go soggy in drinks. After use, straws made of Solinatra biodegrade without leaving behind any microplastics or contamination.

Straws made of Solinatra are compostable and biodegradable and will break down naturally in any end-of-life solutions. Even if straws made of Solinatra end up in landfill, they will not release any harmful pollutants.

The compostable alternative

Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled worldwide, and half of plastic production is for single-use purposes. Compostable and biodegradable alternatives like Solinatra are truly sustainable solutions to a global problem.

Solinatra materials are suitable for home and industrial composting. No matter where products made of Solinatra are disposed of, they will leave behind zero microplastics or contamination. Even if Solinatra ends up in landfills or incinerators, it will degrade without releasing harmful pollutants.

The characteristics of Solinatra are a perfect match for the food industry, where the convenience of takeaway culture meets the practicality of compostable single-use items made of Solinatra. Products made of Solinatra don't require customers to do complex recycling; they can simply dispose of the single-use items in their compost bin or kerbside collection together with food scraps. Food businesses can provide the same convenience as conventional alternatives without the environmental impact.

The solution without compromise

Solinatra enables food businesses to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals whilst meeting consumer demand for sustainable alternatives without major changes to production lines. Solinatra materials can be seamlessly integrated into existing production lines, a replacement for plastic materials and injection moulded products.

Harnessing the power of nature, Solinatra materials are made with renewable feedstocks and promote a more circular economy. For food contact packaging that is sustainable and suitable for all cuisines, Solinatra is the solution without compromise. Switch to Solinatra and ditch the polluting plastics, get in touch with our team to find out how our materials can support your journey to plastic-free.