The launch comes in response to mounting legislative and customer pressures throughout the sector to transform its packaging practices, with an example being the recent anti-waste for a circular economy law in France, which mandates that restaurants with seating for more than 20 guests offer reusable tableware.
Josef Björk, VP CPI food service at Berry Superfos, said, “We are delighted to introduce the game-changing reusable tableware product family which combines functionality, sustainability, and advanced technologies.
“By choosing our reusable range, the food industry will minimise waste and reduce the use of virgin resources.”
The new range of bowls and lids has been designed to meet the diverse needs of the food service industry while prioritising easy reuse and convenience, Berry explained. Transparent lids allow for ‘attractive’ displays of all types of foods from full meals and fresh salads to snacks and desserts, the firm continued. The availability of in-mould labelling enables both bowls and lids to be used for branding and decorated with the visual identity of individual food providers.
The bowls and lids also support on-site operations. They are stackable and easy to handle for waiting staff, allowing efficient service of multiple portions simultaneously. In addition, bowls and lids can be used interchangeably, and the lids double as plates, offering maximum flexibility. Moreover, customers can bring leftover food or takeaway meals home and later return the bowl and lid to the point of purchase for reuse.
“Switching to reusable packaging presents a challenge for the food service industry, but it also offers a valuable opportunity,” continued Josef Björk. “It allows the industry to rethink and streamline their operations, enhancing both efficient service and marketing prospects.”
Each bowl offers space for a QR code, barcode, Digimarc, or an RFID chip with a unique code, enabling ‘effortless’ implementation of return deposit systems and refill systems, wash cycles tracking, and inventory management of the reusable bowls and lids. An RFID chip can also be embedded into each lid.
The bowls are manufactured in polypropylene, with Berry saying that their ‘sturdy’ construction ensures long-term durability, with a matte outside surface structure that resists scratches, and a hygienic smooth inside surface which minimises the risk of bacteria growth.
The range is fully washable in industrial dishwashers for easy cleaning to maintain high hygiene standards. Berry has optimised the dish washer cycle of the range to enable the individual restaurant to save energy, water and time. The stackable design with inside stacking ribs simplifies storage and transportation and optimises space utilisation.
“The smart design of our reusable tableware range has redefined the way restaurant food is served, enjoyed and packaged, providing food service professionals with multiple solutions that makes the range a practical and efficient choice for all their needs,” concluded Josef Björk.
