Two students from Sheffield Hallam University have won a competition to design sustainable food packaging for Deliveroo. William Shaw and Josephine Cooper received the top prize for their innovative sealing system and updates to an existing packaging product.
The competition, organized by Deliveroo and supported by BioPak, challenged students from the university’s Packaging Professional degree program to create packaging that prevents spills, maintains food temperature, and remains cost-effective for restaurants. The winning design featured a modified rectangular box with a new sealing system made from BioPak’s BioBoard material, using additional folds in the cardboard. Judges praised the design for its feasibility and potential for production without significant cost increases.
After a four-month development period, four student teams presented their prototypes at an exhibition attended by local restaurants. The winning design stood out for its practical application and ability to meet the demands of the food delivery sector. Other notable entries included a box set that safely separated different meal components and a labeling system aimed at improving handling instructions for both customers and riders.
As part of their prize, Shaw and Cooper will enter exclusive discussions with BioPak to explore production possibilities for their design. BioPak, which has partnered with Deliveroo for nearly a decade, expressed confidence in the students’ potential to contribute to sustainable packaging innovation.
“We’re excited to support the next generation of packaging design, especially with sustainability at its core,” said Jen Bagshaw, Head of Packaging at Deliveroo. “We look forward to working with the winners to create a solution that benefits both the environment and restaurants.”
This initiative aligns with Deliveroo’s broader efforts to encourage sustainable practices, including a £2.5 million fund to help restaurants transition to eco-friendly packaging options.