Packaging sizes and materials

Hello, I recently read that you are looking to move H&S to single serving sachets, thus creating more plastic waste.

Is there any possibility of using a different type of packaging, for example, some oats I have bought have been packaged in paper.

Also, have you considered providing shops larger batches that consumers can decant from (wholefood shops in the UK offer this for various food items), or simply a much larger pouch for consumers to buy directly to reduce packaging and co2 for transport.

1 Like

Of course! with any decision like this we have to take lots of things into consideration, including packaging.

Our Hot & Savoury Meal Packs use the same material as our multi-serve Pouches, but yes the plastic packaging has increased due to moving to single-serve. This decision wasn’t taken lightly. We found that many customers weren’t able to get consistent portions in a multi-serve format and this led to a bad customer experience and more complaints. While not recyclable, our pouches are lightweight and account for less than 3% of the product’s carbon footprint. We have had to balance a number of factors and are always reviewing our packaging.

Hi Mark, I did read that response elsewhere about the hot and savoury, however my questions were more general, sorry if that wasn’t clear. I am wondering if paper packaging has been considered? I haven’t been able to see anywhere about it being an option and why it was ruled out. And also my query about bulk buying wasn’t answered (eg larger packs/being able to top up your own containers at shops therefore reducing waste)

Sadly this puts H&S firmly on my ‘will not buy’ list.

I can see the business case for single serve pots and shop shelves, and whilst I’m happy to admit that I’m no packaging expert… I just don’t understand why you can’t to use something recyclable for the new pouches. Unless you just don’t want to.

from reddit:

I can imagine single serve paper sachets supplied inside a resealable Essential-size bag. Tho’ maybe it might mean extra cost. ?

That’s my bad, sorry for not answering the question in full.

When getting this project up and running we knew this would be a stickler for a lot of people right? Unfortunately, right now recyclable options don’t offer the durability needed to protect our meals and reduce food waste. We’re always reviewing ways to improve while keeping quality high. Unfortunately, this means that paper packaging just doesn’t work for us and this type of product at this time.

That being said we are constantly reviewing our packaging as technology improves, but it is important any change genuinely reduces our impact. Using a recyclable flexible plastic pouch is significantly more expensive and there is currently limited recycling infrastructure for flexible plastics - based on recent studies. The packaging we use for our Meal Packs allows us to maintain a long shelf life and minimal food wastage. It is this reduction in food waste that is one of the key reasons why Huel has minimal impact on the environment and what we have prioritised with our Hot & Savoury Meal Packs. Our pouches reduce food waste in two ways:

  1. The material contains oxygen and UV barriers which result in the food having a long shelf life. But this layer means the packaging isn’t recyclable.

  2. The pouches are strong, this reduces bursts/damage in transit and therefore reduces food waste

I hope this answers your points but happy to jump in and answer your questions as best I can!

@Tristan This might answer some of your questions also.

1 Like

Thanks Mark. What about my other question on larger packages?

These are sent out in their own box though aren’t they? Surely that’s the thing that needs to be super durable for shipping? Like Quaker oats do with their single serve packs.

I love the reduced food waste with Huel generally, it’s just, you know… it’s been ten years…

1 Like

I think the pots are a bit of a drag and my son prefers them as they are “easier”.
As for the pouches, I imagine the amount of plastic used in seven pouches (one big bag) isn’t significantly more than one big pouch. Might be 15% more (fag packet maths)

Bulk are working to make their pouches compostable/recyclable, perhaps it might be worth investigating what they are using?

1 Like

The already did it last year i think. Looks like it based on that article.