Deliveroo and bakery chain GAIL’s have partnered with Sheffield Hallam University to address the Sustainable Packaging Challenge.
The project aims to create an eco-friendly coffee cup for delivering hot beverages from GAIL’s to customers.
GAIL’s, which offers baked products and speciality coffee, has witnessed significant growth since forming an exclusive alliance with Deliveroo.
The bakery chain has expanded from 19 locations in London to over 160 across 13 cities in the UK.
Students at Sheffield Hallam University will focus on designing a prototype cup that keeps drinks warm and prevents spills.
The initiative prioritises sustainability as a central theme, with a timeframe of just under five months for development.
Participants will receive expert support from both Deliveroo and GAIL’s during the challenge.
A concluding exhibition will display the designs, with a £1,500 ($2,000) cash award for the winning team, along with opportunities for discussions about production with GAIL’s.
Deliveroo has experienced notable expansion in its breakfast and coffee category. The company said that it is committed to ensuring that coffee deliveries arrive in ideal condition, utilising packaging that is ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable.
This initiative is part of Deliveroo’s continuous efforts to assist restaurants in moving towards sustainable packaging options.
In 2024, the company previously collaborated with Sheffield Hallam University to create sustainable food delivery packaging that prevents spills and maintains temperature.
The winning design from that initiative is expected to be produced in collaboration with BioPak, with availability anticipated in 2025.
Furthermore, Deliveroo has established a £2.5m packaging fund to subsidise eco-friendly packaging choices for its restaurant partners.
Deliveroo Packaging head Jen Bagshaw said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with GAIL’s and Sheffield Hallam University in this year’s Sustainable Packaging Challenge.
“Breakfast and coffee is a big area of growth for Deliveroo, and this partnership demonstrates the value in large businesses supporting the development of cutting-edge research, working with universities to bring new, creative and more sustainable ideas to market.
“This competition is about supporting the next generation of designers who are putting sustainability at the heart of packaging innovation, so we’re thrilled to be collaborating with these talented students on this project.”
