Takeaways could soon be facing a sachet ban and will need to find eco-friendly alternatives to offer customers.
You might be familiar with the single-use packets of red sauce, mayonnaise and vinegar - to name a few - which could all be stamped out in a bid to cut down on plastic waste.
According to reports, as well as the sachets being banned we could also see things such as plastic cutlery and plates soon becoming unavailable.
It is believed that bigger companies will be able to cope with the changes, but there are some concerns surrounding the smaller takeaways that might be impacted.
Speaking to LADbible, the British Takeaway Campaign highlighted some of the concerns with Deputy Chair, Andrew Crook, explaining: "It’s right that the nation reduces its plastic consumption, but we’ve got to do so without adding another costly burden on the smallest restaurants, many of which are struggling to keep their doors open.
“Our favourite takeaways wouldn’t be the same without the sauces on the side, so the Government should give small restaurants time to find affordable, non-plastic alternatives, and not lumber them with other changes too soon either, like the proposed cutlery and polystyrene cup ban.”
Last year, Environment Secretary George Eustice said that the sachets 'can cause considerable harm to the marine and terrestrial environment when disposed of incorrectly'.
According to The Sun, The Institute for Economic Affairs accused the government of 'pursuing petty little project' at a time when the economy is 'in a mess'.
LADbible has contacted DEFRA for a comment.
Sustainable sauce sachets is something that takeaway delivery service Just Eat has already trialled with sauces being given to customers in biodegradable seaweed packaging back in 2019.
The move came after a survey found 92 percent wanted to see more of their takeaway sauces coming in the seaweed sachets, while 91 percent found them easy or easier to use than a normal sachet.
Pierre Paslier, co-chief executive of Notpla - the company Just Eat has partnered with - said: “Takeaway sauce sachets are one of the hardest single-use plastics to deal with. They’re easy to litter and have low residual value which limits the recycling potential."
Last year, the two companies worked together again to use seaweed-coated takeaway boxes.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: News, UK News, Environment
Rebecca Shepherd