Heura, a plant-based meat startup founded in 2017 on Earth Day by Marc Coloma and Bernat Añaños, has just announced that it is rolling out new packaging that is made of 100% recycled cardboard, which will reduce plastic use by 80% – representing 12.85 tons of plastic waste saved each year. The new packaging is microwaveable, and is also easily separated so that it is completely recyclable.
With the new microwaveable packaging, the company’s range of 100% plant-based alternatives made from non-GMO soybeans, and is free from gluten, cholesterol, dyes and preservatives will not only be a sustainable choice in terms of carbon emissions, but also in terms of minimising plastic waste.
“Making the planet more sustainable is one of Heura’s main reasons to exist,” said the company in a press release. “Consumption of plant based meat reduces gas emissions by 99% compared to animal meat…[we are] constantly working to reduce the environmental impact of the entire food chain.”
Although packaging represents around 5% of greenhouse gas emissions in the food supply chain, while 47% is attributable to livestock farming, grazing and fishing, the world is not only suffering from the climate crisis, but a waste crisis too.
Scientists have warned plastic pollution is so severe that even if we slashed plastic use by 80%, we would still be left with an astonishing 710 million tonnes of plastic left on the Earth. Some estimates say humans could be eating and breathing as many as 50,000 particles of microplastic each year, with traces detected in everything from ocean spray to rain and sea salt.
Heura’s move comes shortly after the startup reported that it has grown an impressive 450% within just the past year alone, making it the fastest-growing plant-based company in Europe. Since its inception, the company has brought its vegan chicken alternatives to Hong Kong and Singapore in partnership with Green Monday, and is also available in Portugal, Andorra, France, Chile and the Netherlands.
