Eco packaging pioneers Vegware have just won two major prizes in one week: the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, and the £10,000 top prize in The FSB Streamline UK Business Awards.
These extremely competitive awards commend the high-growth Edinburgh firm for developing innovative zero-waste foodservice packaging, promoting sustainability and reducing landfill waste in the catering and hospitality sector. To celebrate, the SME has designed its own original Vegware tartan – predominantly green with highlights of burgundy, pink, blue and white!
Joe Frankel, founder and MD of the global packaging firm said, “We saw that foodservice needed packaging which can actually be recycled after use and responded to that challenge. Our unique solution of certified compostable catering disposals and full recycling support is helping the UK’s biggest operators meet sustainability targets and save money.
“As a result, we have enjoyed tenfold growth in three years, and now employ a team of 26, up from 2 in late 2009. The Queen’s Award is royal recognition that Vegware is making a positive contribution to the UK economy and global sustainability, and the competitive FSB Streamline Awards celebrates Vegware as the UK’s best small business.
“Winning either of these is fantastic but this double win is a major coup and we are all absolutely delighted with the recognition. The FSB prize money will be great contribution to our product development programme – as it happens we already have a project earmarked for this, secret of course, for now. We’ve got a great product, a fantastic team, and the time is right so watch this space!”
These prestigious titles bring Vegware’s accolades up to 24 awards and 2 Scottish Parliamentary Motions. Founded and run from its expanded Edinburgh HQ, Vegware is now a global brand with operations in the UK, US, South Africa, Central Europe and distribution from Iceland to Portugal. Newly-founded Vegware Australia operates out of Sydney. Vegware’s new larger Edinburgh office will be officially opened on 29 May 2013.
Vegware develops, manufactures and distributes a full range of certified compostable catering disposables, made from recycled and sustainably-sourced eco materials. The firm’s packaging is suitable for food waste recycling after use, allowing caterers to recycle food-contaminated coffee cups and takeaway boxes which often otherwise go to landfill. Their non-profit initiative The Food Waste Network is a free service matchmaking any UK business with local food waste collections and promoting zero waste, supporting WRAP’s Hospitality and Foodservice Agreement and helping Scottish businesses comply with the new waste Regs.