Uber Eats to trial collection of recyclable food containers

A food delivery company will be offering its customers reusable takeaway containers as part of a trial. 

From today, Uber Eats are giving customers in Central London the option to order their takeaway in reusable containers and return them in a bid to tackle single use packaging.

When placing their orders, Uber Eats customers can opt-in to receive their food in reusable packaging. 

Once they’ve finished their meals, all they need to do is scan a QR code, select a day for collection, from as early as next day to no later than 3 weeks later, give the containers a rinse and await collection.  

All collections are low or no emissions, made by couriers using bikes, electric cars or vans. 

The trial will run for six months with a group of restaurant partners on the food delivery app and will be managed by Again, a reusable packaging supply chain company. 

Various incentives will be tested throughout the trial to measure what motivates customers to engage with reusables and what motivates them to return the packaging. 

Matt Kennedy, founder of Again said: “Today, reusable packaging is too inconvenient for everyday customers. 

“As we look ahead to 2030, we see that household collections will play a pivotal role in the scale-up of reusable packaging.

“Once vehicles are collecting from households, new products, new retailers and new meal delivery platforms are incremental. We are creating an exciting future of low-cost household takeback for all products.”

Pictured top: Uber Eats reusable delivery service (Picture: Amanda Lee Tromp)