Can Deliveroo & GAIL’s Make Takeaway Cups More Sustainable?
Deliveroo and GAIL's Bakery have announced a new collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University aimed at developing sustainable packaging solutions for hot drink deliveries.
The partnership forms part of Deliveroo's returning Sustainable Packaging Challenge, which this year focuses specifically on creating an environmentally-friendly coffee cup.
Students from Sheffield Hallam University will have approximately five months to design a prototype cup that keeps beverages hot, prevents spillages and arrives in optimal condition while prioritising sustainability.
This initiative comes as Deliveroo reports significant growth in its Breakfast and Coffee category, now among the top ten fastest-growing segments on its platform.
The winning design team will receive a US$1,900 cash prize and an opportunity to discuss potential production implementation with GAIL's.
Rising demand drives sustainability innovation
The collaboration addresses growing consumer demand for coffee deliveries through digital platforms.
GAIL's has experienced substantial expansion since forming an exclusive partnership with Deliveroo two years ago.
From an initial presence of 19 London bakeries, GAIL's has grown to over 160 locations across 13 British cities including Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.
"We're thrilled to be partnering with GAIL's and Sheffield Hallam University in this year's Sustainable Packaging Challenge,” says Jen Bagshaw, Head of Packaging at Deliveroo.
“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.”
Industry expertise meets academic creativity
The partnership brings together commercial expertise with academic innovation.
To Rosie Hill, Head of E-Commerce at GAIL's, the collaborative nature of the project is perhaps its most important feature.
"Together with Deliveroo and the brilliant students at Sheffield Hallam, we hope to innovate and improve on the customer experience, whilst implementing an even more sustainable packaging solution,” she says.
“With our hot drinks being so popular on Deliveroo, the students have a significant opportunity here to join our mission to make a positive impact.”
Sheffield Hallam University's Course Leader Azucena Gómez is also hugely enthusiastic about the educational value inherent to the project.
"We’re excited to collaborate with Deliveroo and GAIL's on this new Packaging Challenge,” she explains.
“This partnership provides our apprentices with an opportunity to apply their knowledge, skills and creativity to unique problems, fostering innovation in sustainable packaging solutions.
“We are proud to support the development of the next generation of packaging professionals who are committed to making a positive impact on the environment."
Building on previous sustainability efforts
This initiative follows Deliveroo's previous sustainability work including a similar packaging challenge in 2024.
That earlier challenge resulted in a winning design now being produced with BioPak that will be available to Deliveroo partners in 2025.
Deliveroo maintains a US$3.2m packaging fund subsidising environmentally friendly packaging options for restaurant partners.
The fund aims to offset costs associated with transitioning to more sustainable packaging alternatives.
This latest collaboration represents another step in the food delivery industry's growing focus on reducing environmental impact while maintaining quality customer experiences.
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