At Swiss Chalet, delivering delicious fried chicken to Canadians is only part of our mission. We're equally committed to doing so in a way that respects and protects our environment. Today, we're excited to announce our new Sustainable Packaging Initiative, a comprehensive approach to reducing the environmental impact of our delivery service while maintaining the quality and experience our customers expect.
Why Sustainable Packaging Matters
The food delivery industry has seen tremendous growth, especially in recent years. With this growth comes responsibility. Traditional food delivery packaging creates significant waste, much of which ends up in landfills or, worse, our oceans and natural environments.
Consider these facts:
- The average Canadian uses 167 disposable food containers annually
- Conventional foam containers can take 500+ years to decompose
- Less than 10% of single-use food packaging is properly recycled
- Food delivery packaging waste has increased by 30% since 2020
"As a company that delivers thousands of meals daily across Canada, we recognize our responsibility to lead the way in sustainable packaging solutions."
— David Chen, Quality Assurance Manager
Our New Packaging Solutions
After extensive research and testing, we're proud to introduce our new range of sustainable packaging products that will be rolled out across all delivery locations by June 2024:
Plant-Based Containers
Our new primary food containers are made from plant-based materials, specifically a blend of sugarcane fiber (bagasse) and bamboo. These materials are:
- Fully biodegradable within 90 days in commercial composting facilities
- Derived from renewable resources
- Free from harmful chemicals like PFAs and BPA
- Heat-resistant to maintain food temperature
- Sturdy enough to prevent leaks and spills
Innovative Thermal Liners
To keep our fried chicken hot and crispy during delivery, we've developed a new thermal liner made from recycled textile fibers and cornstarch-based bioplastic. This combination:
- Maintains optimal food temperature for up to 30 minutes
- Creates a moisture barrier that prevents sogginess
- Reduces the need for additional packaging layers
- Breaks down completely within six months in standard conditions
Water-Based Inks and Adhesives
All printing and sealing on our packaging now uses water-based inks and adhesives that are:
- Non-toxic and food-safe
- Free from petroleum-based solvents
- Low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Biodegradable along with the packaging materials
Lifecycle of our sustainable packaging from production to decomposition
The Challenge of Fried Chicken Packaging
Developing sustainable packaging for fried chicken delivery presented unique challenges. Our packaging needs to:
- Maintain food temperature without trapping steam (which would make the chicken soggy)
- Provide grease resistance without using harmful chemicals
- Be sturdy enough for transport yet biodegradable
- Preserve the crispy texture that defines our product
Our research and development team spent 18 months testing over 40 different material combinations before arriving at our current solution. The result is packaging that performs as well as traditional options while dramatically reducing environmental impact.
Measurable Environmental Impact
With these changes, we project the following environmental benefits by the end of 2024:
Our Broader Environmental Commitment
The Sustainable Packaging Initiative is part of Swiss Chalet's broader environmental commitment. Other elements of our sustainability program include:
- Delivery Route Optimization: Using AI to minimize delivery distances and reduce carbon emissions
- Local Sourcing: Partnering with Canadian farmers and suppliers to reduce transportation impacts
- Energy-Efficient Kitchens: Upgrading to energy-efficient equipment in all our facilities
- Waste Reduction Programs: Implementing comprehensive recycling and composting systems in all locations
How Customers Can Help
While our new packaging is designed to be environmentally friendly, proper disposal is still important. Here's how you can help maximize the environmental benefits:
- Look for the disposal instructions printed on each container
- Place compostable items in your municipal compost bin if available
- If composting isn't available in your area, general waste is still better than recycling for these items
- Consider opting out of disposable utensils if you're eating at home
Looking Forward
Our sustainable packaging initiative represents a significant investment in our future and the planet's future. While we're proud of what we've accomplished, we recognize this is an ongoing journey. We'll continue to innovate, test, and improve our packaging solutions as new materials and technologies become available.
We welcome feedback from our customers as we roll out these changes. Your experiences and suggestions will help us refine our approach and achieve our environmental goals while continuing to deliver the delicious fried chicken you expect from Swiss Chalet.
