The events of 2020 put a microscope on a range of issues, one of them being climate change.
There are plenty of small lifestyle changes each of us can make to help the planet. A great trend that has exploded recently is the move to meal kits for convenience, but it turns out meal kits are also a step in the right direction for the environment.
For example, HelloFresh's carbon footprint is lower than that of meals made from store-bought groceries because their streamlined supply chain only has one stop between the supplier and customer, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Not to mention pre-measured ingredients mean less food waste!
It is still the responsibility of corporations to put in the work to be more sustainable if we really want to make a difference.
HelloFresh is the perfect example of a company that has gone above and beyond to help the climate change cause. The short supply chain also helps reduce plastic packaging as the ingredients travel between fewer stops, however, packaging is still necessary to ensure excellent food quality, freshness and safety. This means less food waste which balances out the carbon impact.
HelloFresh also take it a step further by innovating environmentally friendly packaging solutions. Here are just 5 innovative solutions that HelloFresh has come up with to reduce or optimize packaging:
1. The Paper Cooling Pouch
HelloFresh has a cooling pouch that is made from recycled paper. Who would have thought it was possible to keep ingredients like yogurt and meat cool inside of paper? By having "air cushions" between the individual layers of paper, insulating properties are maintained and potentially melted water is kept from leaking. These pouches are re-recyclable, too.
2. The Water-based Iced Pack
Normal ice packs are produced by mixing water with a polymer, creating a gel containing microplastics, so they're not recyclable. To combat this issue, HelloFresh developed 100% recyclable water-based ice packs. They even launched their first in-house production of water-based ice packs in the UK to minimize the environmental impact. They now produce these ice packs in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, cutting down CO2 emissions.
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3. The Ice Configurator
Supply chains of different lengths have different cooling requirements based on the duration of the transport, the outside temperature, and the ingredients delivered, resulting in different amounts of ice needed. HelloFresh has its own ice configurator that uses an algorithm to calculate the
exact number of ice packs required.
4. The Packaging Configurator
HelloFresh also utilizes algorithms to determine the space and amount of packaging needed for a specific set of ingredients in their meal kit boxes. Their very own packaging configurator defines the most resource-efficient type of packaging to combine their key objectives: functionality, cost efficiency, and sustainability.
5. The Reusable Box
HelloFresh is currently testing a "Reusable Box" concept in several markets, including the Netherlands and Australia. Rather than using a box that's disposed of and recycled, the company is working to develop a reusable box that will be picked up by their delivery service, filled with new ingredients, and used again for another shipment.
HelloFresh is strongly committed to "Avoid, Reduce, Innovate", and these are just some of the initiatives the company has implemented to help the environment. At $9.69 per serving, each HelloFresh meal costs significantly less than the grocery store and take out, so you're saving the planet and saving money.
There are up to 25 weekly meals to choose from and a huge variety of cuisines including Thai, Mexican, Italian and more. They have plans for vegetarians, meat-eaters, and families, plus the subscription is completely flexible so you can cancel at any time.
In addition to the convenience, HelloFresh sends pre-portioned ingredients that require minimal prep to your doorstep, so you can have dinner ready in 30 minutes or less!
If you're looking for a way to do your part for the environment while also saving time, discovering new recipes, and having dinner delivered right to your door, consider trying HelloFresh.