Deliveroo is introducing a new, more sustainable packaging box for food delivery, which it claims was produced in collaboration with Biopak and developed by students at Sheffield Hallam University. The solution is intended to replace conventional plastic-coated containers and is now available via the company's own packaging webshop for restaurants in the UK.
The new box is the result of a collaboration between Deliveroo, packaging manufacturer Biopak and Sheffield Hallam University. The starting point was the company's first Sustainable Packaging Challenge in 2024, in which students on the Professional Packaging BSc programme were asked to develop an innovative, sustainable and cost-effective packaging design that prevents leakage and keeps food at the right temperature during transport.
New cardboard locking mechanism
The winning design by Josephine Cooper and William Shaw is based on a further development of existing takeaway boxes. At the heart of the concept is a new closure mechanism that enables a more stable locking mechanism thanks to additional folds in the box. The aim is to increase the stability of the packaging on the way from the restaurant to the customer's door, reduce the risk of leakage and better maintain the temperature of the food.
According to Deliveroo, the design was implemented without any significant additional costs, making it a competitive alternative to existing packaging solutions for restaurant partners. The new design addresses two key challenges in the delivery business: temperature control and avoiding spillages.
Part of a larger sustainability initiative
The introduction of the new box is part of Deliveroo's strategy to help restaurants switch to more sustainable packaging solutions. Following the success of the first Sustainable Packaging Challenge in 2024, the competition was held again in 2025, this time in collaboration with partner Gail's Bakery.
With the packaging now available, a university development project is being transferred into a commercial application. Whether and to what extent the new solution can replace conventional plastic-coated containers on the market is likely to depend largely on acceptance by restaurant partners and consumers.
Source: Deliveroo
