Wonky bread subscription service Earth & Wheat has started the switch to compostable packaging as it looks to become even more sustainable.
Founded by James Eid, a 21-year-old student, in March 2021, the FoodTech brand Earth & Wheat has teamed up with Treetop Biopak which specialises in compostable packaging.
Earth & Wheat subscribers will now start to receive their wonky bread inside new home compostable bags which are designed for packing short shelf-life food such as bakery items.
Treetop Biopak was set up by founder Amir Gross just weeks after the first UK lockdown was introduced in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It supplies a range of innovative compostable packaging materials such as cling film, stretch film and shrink wrap, developed in partnership with KM Packaging.
Compostable packaging requires an active microbial environment, such as a compost heap, to fully degrade. This means Earth & Wheat’s new bags will disintegrate and then biodegrade into carbon dioxide (CO2), water and biomass, leaving no harmful residue behind. The OK Home Compost and EN/13432 certification which compostable bags must have, means they will disintegrate after 12 weeks and completely biodegrade within one year, in a home compost.
Eid set up Earth & Wheat to fight food waste by rescuing – and redistributing – wonky bread which would have otherwise been thrown in the bin due to strict shop standards or because of overproduction. The 2.5kg box includes a random and mixed variety of crumpets, tortillas, pittas, focaccias, pancakes, including other ‘surprise’ baked good products such as naan breads.
Food waste – caused within supply chains and by consumers – accounts for around one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions which make up a total of six per cent of global emissions. Land, water, energy and fertilizer are all used to produce food, so this wastage comes at a huge cost to the environment.
Eid said: “Our mission is to reduce food waste in the UK but we’re always looking at innovative ways to become more sustainable, so we’re delighted to partner with Treetop Biopak. By using their compostable bags in our Earth & Wheat boxes, we have found a great alternative to using plastic which can be harmful to our environment. The bags are durable, puncture-resistant and water-resistant, but will still decompose and become one with nature over time”
Treetop Biopak founder Amir Gross said: “At Treetop Biopak we are passionate about the benefits compostable packaging. Not only to stop plastic
pollution, but also to assist nature to regenerate and replenish soil with more healthy compost.
“Earth & Wheat is all about reducing waste and by using compostable packaging, Earth & Wheat’s customers are reducing their single-use plastic waste and helping the environment. Our new bags will help to ensure a more sustainable circular economy.”