ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING? Woof course!
Like an unwelcome guest, packaging can hang around long after the party’s over and the food is eaten. Even worse than a loitering neighbour, packaging can have a devastating effect on wildlife. Scientists estimate that a flabbergasting 8 million tons of the stuff end up in our beautiful oceans each year!
Thanks to legends like Sir David Attenborough, we’re all more woke. This has seen protests and commitments by businesses and governments across the board. For example as a result of campaigning by Friends of the Earth, a new EU law has been introduced which will ban certain plastic products in every EU country by mid 2021. For this week’s blog, we thought we’d talk you through our pet food packaging and our efforts to tread more lightly on the planet.
WET FOOD
Like the packaging of our treats, the sleeve of our wet food is fully recyclable. We use responsible FSC certified paper, helping keep forests alive for future generations. Just pop it in with your normal paper for recycling. The tray itself is made from PP5 – as it’s white rather than black this allows it to be recyclable. Did you know black trays can’t be detected by recycling sorters?
That’s why our trays are white. Whilst PP5 is accepted by most councils for curbside recycling, it’s always best to check with your local council.
DRY FOOD
Our complete dry dog food and dry cat food products are high in meat – up to 77%. A lot of meat requires a strong moisture barrier which means compostable paper based options aren’t suitable.
We’ve explored existing options for compostable packaging but the moisture barrier limitations can turn the meat rancid. Additionally as the packaging degrades over time it can cause other issues impacting on product quality. For example we’ve spotted ink leakage/seepage on other products in the market.
We’ve therefore opted for a mono PE bag which is FULLY RECYCLABLE, provides the perfect barrier and keeps the food fresh. Recycle with your plastic bags at supermarkets to avoid contributing to landfill.
SAYING NO TO TINS!
Why don’t we use tins and avoid plastic fully for our trays?
Yes, tins are more readily recyclable BUT there are two issues which make them less eco friendly than trays. Firstly due to the size and shape, significantly fewer can’s fit in vehicles than trays so you can transport a lot more trays than tins.
More efficient logistics = fewer travels = better for the planet! ? Secondly, one of our biggest bug bears is that the machinery required to make small cat and dog tins, trays and pouches isn’t available in the UK. So most of those tins you’re buying for your kitty or single trays/pouches for your pooch travels hundreds if not thousands of miles across the globe from Eastern Europe or sadly a huge volume come as far as Thailand!
SUPPLY CHAIN
When we consider our impact, we look at the full supply chain – packaging plays just one part. That’s why we make everything in the UK and Ireland to reduce food miles and minimise our carbon footprint and where possible source our ingredients locally.
Working closely with the University of Bath we’ve conducted a life cycle assessment to determine which areas of the chain hold the biggest impact. That’s how we understood that food miles has a greater impact than packaging. The allows us to make informed decisions to minimise our environmental impact and we’re hoping to challenge some much needed conversations in the industry.
FUTURE OF PACKAGING
We’ve recently heard that in 10 years, sugar beet and potato starch will be used for packaging. We can’t wait to hear about more exciting sustainability discoveries and want to make sure we’re always acting as ambassadors within our industry.
We’re always on the lookout for ways to be innovative and sustainable. Have you come across anything exciting that you think we should consider? Let us know in the comments or pop an email to hello@scrumbles.co.uk.
And finally, for ideas about how you can do your bit and be a conscious consumer, check out our earth day tips.
Get your paws on scrumbles!
Chicken Dry Dog Food
For adult and senior dogs
£12.00 - £78.00
No-one wants a hungry hound! Scrumbles chicken and rice dog food is gently cooked with high quality, natural ingredients including 60% human grade, free-run chicken and added probiotics. Like all our dry food, this is a complete dog food offering everything your dog needs and perfect for sensitive stomachs. Kibble size: 13mm x 13mm
Why Me?
HYPO-ALLERGENIC
GUT FRIENDLY PROBIOTICS
60% Chicken
MADE IN THE UK
Chicken Dry Cat Food
For adult and senior cats
£7.50 - £38.00
Loved by fussy cats, Scrumbles chicken cat food is packed with 75% chicken. A delicious blend of freshly prepared and dehydrated chicken delivers a high level of animal protein crucial for your cat to stay happy and healthy.
Why Me?
HYPO-ALLERGENIC
GUT FRIENDLY PROBIOTICS
75% Chicken
MADE IN THE UK
Wet Cat Food Variety pack
For all cats, 3 months+
£5.50
Our wet cat food variety pack features a selection of our delicious, digestible, grain-free paté recipes in 85g pots. This variety pack is the perfect way to mix it up at mealtimes or to use as a taster to find out your cat’s favourite flavour. The multi pack contains 2 of each flavour; Salmon, Chicken and Tuna.
Why Me?
50p to charity
100% Natural
Grain Free
Made in the UK
Salmon Dry Dog Food
for adult and senior dogs
£12.00 - £78.00
A grain free salmon dog food that’s delicious and tailored for sensitive dogs. Some dogs simply have different nutritional needs than others, that’s why we’ve worked hard to create our best salmon dog food tailored for sensitive dogs with special attention to the tiniest details like calcium-phosphorus ratios, a low fat content and enhanced levels of MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints. Kibble size: 17mm x 22m
Why Me?
HYPO-ALLERGENIC
GUT FRIENDLY PROBIOTICS
JOINT SUPPORT
LOW FAT
