News article
Major sporting venues to utilise seaweed-based packaging
Levy UK + Ireland, the sports and hospitality arm of food services giant Compass Group, is set to utilise sustainable packaging across some of sport’s iconic venues from Earthshot Prize winning innovators Notpla.
The Earthshot Prize is a global environment award launched in 2020 by Prince William and British broadcast icon, Sir David Attenborough.
Notpla’s range of seaweed-based, biodegradable food packaging is set to be used by Levy over the next three years, featuring across a number of prestigious sports and entertainment venues. It is expected that some 75 million items of Notpla takeaway packaging will be used during the partnership.
Analysis commissioned by Levy and conducted by a third party confirmed that Notpla’s packaging will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% compared to conventional items.
Initial sporting venues that will embrace the packaging include cricket’s Kia Oval, Aston Villa’s Villa Park, England Rugby’s Twickenham Stadium and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
The solution was first brought to market in 2019, and Notpla has dramatically increased the scale of its production since the Earthshot win.
“Levy UK + Ireland is determined to have a positive voice and demonstrate that by working together we can improve the health of our planet."
“Since the first introduction from Prince William and some early stadium trials, we’ve been so inspired by Levy’s dedication to reducing environmental impact,” said Pierre Paslier, Co-Founder and co-Chief Executive of Notpla.
“They truly recognise the positive effect that they can have in stopping the production of millions of items of plastic packaging and, most importantly, are taking action. That’s something to be optimistic about.”
Notpla’s seaweed-coated food packaging is aiming to combat the 14 million tonnes of plastic that enters oceans every year.
“Levy UK + Ireland is determined to have a positive voice and demonstrate that by working together we can improve the health of our planet,” added Jon Davies, Managing Director, Levy UK + Ireland.
“Strategic partnerships are key to this success, and working with Notpla, a groundbreaking business, allows us to take another step in removing plastic from consumables and eliminating waste which would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans. This exclusive partnership means we will find solutions, and be able to look towards the future with hope.”