Suma unveils greener packaging for Ecoleaf brand

Ecoleaf by Suma has undergone a makeover to now boast a cleaner look and greener packaging.

The leading supplier of vegetarian and sustainable products has announced that the range’s bottles will now be made of post-consumer recycled packaging (PCR) – plastic that has previously been used in a product that is then reprocessed and remade into something new. Products made from post-consumer plastic close the loop, diverting plastic from landfill and allowing it to be recycled into something else.

Ecoleaf’s paper products will be wrapped in paper, which is 100 per cent recyclable, and offers an alternative to brands which wrap their toilet and kitchen rolls in plastic. The outer packaging will also be 100 per cent home copostable.

All Ecoleaf by Suma cleaning products are made in the UK, vegan and never tested on animals, plant-based, biodegradable and made using non-hazardous ingredients.

Reusable feminine hygiene offered for free in schools

Mooncup has announced its reusable menstrual cup is being available free of charge to pupils of all state schools and colleges in England as part of a new Department for Education scheme.

The move marks the first time that environmentally-friendly and plastic free products are being offered as a free option in schools in England, alongside traditional disposable pads and tampons.

Kath Clements, Company Director of Mooncup, commented: “We are excited to be working with phs and the Department for Education to provide sustainable period products to young people across England. Based on our experience of working with the sexual health and wellbeing charity, Brook, we know that young people find the cost-effectiveness of menstrual cups particularly appealing, as well as their convenience and low environmental impact.

“Our goal from day one has been to make menstruation as positive an experience as it can possibly be. We hope that this initiative, and the conversation around it, will help in continuing to break the taboo around periods, as well as giving young people access to information about all their menstrual product options.”

Welsh food and drink industry must thrive, post-Brexit

A Government Minister has emphasised the importance of the Welsh’ food and drink industry prospering post-Brexit following a record year.

The latest industry figures reveal record-breaking turnover of £7.473bn in Wales in 2019, surpassing the ambitious target set in 2014 to achieve 30 per cent growth and reach £7bn of sales by 2020.

And with the UK having now left the EU, Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, recently visited ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where she spoke of her hopes for the future of the sector in a post-EU world.

“In 2014, we announced a simple and bold target – to raise the industry’s sales value by 30 per cent to £7bn by 2020. I am absolutely delighted we have now more than achieved this, the latest data showing the sector has a value of £7.473bn,” she commented.

“Wales’ food and drink industry has never been in ruder health and it has been fantastic to share the success with some of our wonderful, innovative producers here today.” However, describing Brexit as a big disruptor, she continued: “I am in regular contact with Ministerial counterparts in the UK Government and my message to them is clear. This sector is a real success story which we need to continue to promote and develop; it should not be overlooked or sold down the river. During trade negotiations and discussions on our future relationship with the EU, the UK Government must consider the impact on the 23,000 people who work in Wales’ food and drink sector and the 217,000 employed in the wider supply chain.”

Danish organics celebrates three decades

This year marks 30 years of the Danish organic logo and is being marked with a special celebration.

Denmark is considered a world leader when it comes to the share of the total food market held by organic products and is represented with the national Danish organic logo – the red Ø – which is 30-years-old in 2020.

Prior to this logo being established, the Danish Parliament had passed the world’s first law on organic production, and since then, the Danish Government has certified and controlled the country’s organic farmers and companies. Today, 98 per cent of the Danish population are aware that the red Ø is the Danish Government’s guarantee for the organic production of natural foods with focus on clean environment and a high level of animal welfare.

Each time a Dane buys food and drink for 100 kroner (the Danish currency), almost 14 kroner of that is spent on goods that bear the red Ø and the EU’s green organic logo. Based on increasing sales over previous years, Organic Denmark estimates that during 2020, the average Dane will spend 3,400 kroner, equivalent to 453 Euros, on organic products.

“There’s no doubt that the red Ø and the general cooperation between successive Danish consumers have a lot of confidence in the way in which products are controlled all the way from the farmer to the supermarket, and the label has a high level of credibility,” commented Pernille Bundgard, International Market Director at Organic Denmark.

Almost half a million people make Veganuary pledge, organisers reveal

The organisers of the annual Veganuary campaign are celebrating after increasing the number of participants by more than 150,000.

The 2020 campaign, which took place in January, saw more than 400,000 people take the pledge, a huge rise on the 250,000 in 2019 and exceeding the target of 350,000 for 2020.

Hundreds of new plant-based products were launched, with sales exceeding expectations. Retailers also saw interest in vegan products soar, for example, M&S’ Plant Kitchen No Chicken Kiev sold at a rate of four every minute since it launched on January 2.

April Preston, Director of Product Development at M&S, commented: “Veganism is a trend that we are absolutely loving at M&S, and as our customers continue to experiment and adopt more flexitarian diets, we too are having fun creating new products to fit within this.”

In addition, more than 50 companies took part in the Veganuary Workplace Challenge, encouraging employees to try vegan and providing more vegan options in the workplace. And Veganuary launched its first-ever TV ad on major networks in five countries including Sky News in the UK.

Veganuary’s Head of Communications, Toni Vernelli, commented: “With the link between animal farming and the climate crisis making headlines nearly every day, we expected Veganury 2020 to be the biggest yet, but it exceeded all of our expectations. We applaud everyone who took part and encourage them to continue eating vegan food as often as possible. And we’re grateful to all of the businesses embracing Veganuary and making it easier for more people to eat more plant-based food more often.”