Just Eat and UEFA announce that, in collaboration with sustainable packaging pioneer Notpla, biodegradable seaweed-coated food packaging will be introduced at the UEFA Women’s EURO Final at Wembley Stadium on 31st July, marking a first for a major football match.
“We are developing a practical guide to help us achieve zero plastic waste and food waste […] across UEFA events and collaboratively across European football.”
The packaging that will be served at the Women’s Final is home-compostable and will biodegrade within 4-6 weeks, just like a piece of fruit, according to Just Eat.
With the cool tagline, “We make packaging disappear”, the London-based company produces a variety of biodegradable solutions made from seaweed and plant material that disappears naturally.
Notpla raised £10 million in Series A last December with the funds going towards the growth of its manufacturing facility and to develop new innovations, such as a transparent flexible film and a seaweed paper.
“Using our global sponsorship partnership with UEFA is a perfect way to showcase this sustainable packaging initiative within the football industry, giving Just Eat the chance to drive and test new innovations with football fans. We’re committed to using our scale and influence to drive a more sustainable future for the food delivery industry and we’re so excited to see this come to life at such a huge sporting event,” comments Jaz Rabadia, Head of Responsible Business and Sustainability at Just Eat Takeaway.com.
Says Michele Uva, Director of Football & Social Responsibility at UEFA: “The circular economy is an important pillar of UEFA’s Football Sustainability Strategy 2030. Working with Just Eat to assess aspects of a food & beverage circularity pilot project at the world’s biggest women national competition match is an important milestone in UEFA’s efforts to minimise the impact of football on the environment and drive resource efficiency and cost savings. Building on best practices of Just Eat and other stakeholders, we are developing a practical guide to help us achieve zero plastic waste and food waste – within UEFA, across UEFA events and collaboratively across European football.
