Are you ready for the UK single-use plastic ban?

Be Prepared for the UK Single-Use Plastic Ban in October 2023

The countdown has begun! England is set to join Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales in taking a significant step towards environmental sustainability by implementing a single-use plastic ban starting on October 1, 2023. This ban encompasses all types of single-use plastics, regardless of their recyclability, compostability, or biodegradability. To assist businesses in transitioning to reusable solutions and complying with this ground-breaking regulation, Harfield is here to guide you through the rules while providing sustainable tableware solutions.

Understanding the UK Single-Use Plastic Ban:
• National Rollout: Already in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland since 2022 and introduced in Wales in autumn 2023, the ban is poised to make its mark on England, impacting businesses across the country.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The ban isn’t limited to specific items; it encompasses all single-use plastics. This includes everyday items such as straws, cutlery, plates, cups, bowls, trays, and more.
• No Exceptions: As of October 1, 2023, businesses will no longer be permitted to supply, sell, or offer single-use plastic items. This covers items that are wholly or partly made from plastic, even if they have plastic coatings or linings. This also extends to ready-to-consume polystyrene food containers and cups.

Harfield’s Sustainable Solutions:
At Harfield, we are committed to sustainability offering a wide range of reusable products that can help your business adapt to the new regulations. Here are some of our innovative solutions:

• SliderStraws: Our SliderStraws are a practical and eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic straws. They are designed to be reusable, making them an ideal choice for businesses looking to reduce their plastic footprint.
• Reusable Grab’n’go Solutions: Our grab-and-go solutions are designed to replace single-use packaging. They are not only environmentally friendly, but also cost-effective in the long run.
• Cutlery: Say goodbye to disposable plastic cutlery and switch to our durable and reusable cutlery options. They are perfect for businesses looking to make a sustainable choice.

The October 2023 single-use plastic ban in the UK is a crucial step towards a greener future. To ensure your business complies with these regulations while also contributing to a more sustainable planet, explore Harfield’s range of reusable tableware solutions. Contact us today to find out how we can assist you in making a smooth transition away from single-use plastics.

2. Healthcare Traffic Light System
Good hydration and nutrition are crucial for patient recovery in hospitals and the well-being of care home residents. Systems that allow the catering teams to quickly and easily identify those patients or residents who need help are proving increasingly popular.

‘The traffic light system’ is one of these well known practices that are applied in hospitals and care homes to effectively communicate the level of assistance needed by patients / residents while they eating and drinking. It can also help the staff to monitor fluid consumption.

This particular practice is inconspicuous, helping to reduce stigma and potential discomfort for some diners. Having dining with dignity alongside of patient’s well-being at heart, this system has been mentioned in last year’s Report of the Independent Review of NHS Hospital Food as an example of great practice in hospitals:

‘We saw one hospital using a ‘traffic light’ tray system to help staff identify patients who need additional help at mealtimes. Everyone gets a coloured tray (which reduces stigma), with patients needing no help getting green trays, patients needing a little help getting yellow trays, and patients needing a lot of help getting red trays.’

This system uses colour coded tableware such as trays, plates, jugs, lids etc. to indicate to nursing staff, which patient/diner may need additional support during dining times. Trays are the primary catering equipment used by this system because they are a clear and easy indicator for staff while serving meals in hospitals and care homes.

It is known that the use of different colours such as red or blue can provide additional benefits to patients with conditions such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Various studies show that bright, strong colours can encourage eating and drinking that adds to the welfare of the patient by reducing potential malnutrition.
Harfield provide an extensive range of trays in different colours, patterns and sizes that are perfect for the traffic light system. Our jugs, lids and beakers, including graduated options will help effectively monitor fluid intake and keep patients hydrated. Please contact us for further information or advice on choosing the right catering equipment for your establishment.

3. #Allerjanuary − Don’t Worry Be Purple!
In the UK, an estimated 2 million people are living with a diagnosed food allergy and 1 in 100 with coeliac disease.

Allergen identification is crucial to today’s caterer across all sectors from education to healthcare and hospitality when more and more consumers are being identified with special diet requirements.

The top priority for catering establishments all across the UK is to protect their customers and create a safe and trusted environment for every diner. Julian Edwards, the CEO of Allergen Accreditation mentioned in his comments that “we decant ingredients from packaging, create dishes and serve these to paying customers. It therefore becomes the caterer’s responsibility to inform the customer what allergenic ingredients are contained in the dish”.

Clear labelling and colour coding are one of the best practices among caterers to spread allergen awareness and deliver an enjoyable, safe meal to their customers. The colour purple is quickly becoming an industry standard to identify food allergies in both kitchens and serving areas.

At Harfield, we understand the importance of colour in allergen awareness in the catering sector and believe that our 4 Point PURPLE Product Plan will help you select the Harfield products for your catering needs.

Our 4 Point Purple Product Plan:
• Preparation − Use our range of PURPLE bowls and dishes as food prep storage to keep food separate.
• Cooking − Choose our PURPLE Oven to Tableware range to cook and store food. Dishes available in individual portions and up to half size gastronorms.
• Display − Our PURPLE polycarbonate and Oven to Tableware gastronorms, along with out purple serving tongs are great for serving food.
• Serving − We have a wide range of PURPLE trays, plates, bowls, jugs, cutlery and tumblers to ensure prepared and cooked food is served to the correct diner.

So let’s get serious together about food safety this #allerjanuary and spread the awareness!