Google is searching for pioneering food and beverage companies that have sustainable, single-use, plastic-free packaging solutions and inviting them to apply to its Single-Use Plastics Challenge, reported Packaging Europe on 24 April. Hosted in partnership with premier food service management company Canteen and other food service partners, successful entrants will have the opportunity to present their ideas to Google and test their products at its cafes and Micro Kitchens in the US.

Google desires to eliminate single-use disposable products from its onsite food service operations and implement more environmentally friendly, reusable packaging, distribution, and delivery solutions, which meet federal, state, and local food safety regulations, as well as its own food programme’s health, environmental, social, and financial standards.

Seeing as 91% of plastic does not get recycled, with it going to landfills or polluting the environment, Google hopes its initiative will help push the broader industry towards creating a circular economy for packaging.

Firms such as BIBAK, who specialise in reusable containers, secured €6 million in additional funding in February with plans to make the most of France’s ban on single-use packaging in restaurants and cafes. TotalEnergies’ RE:newable polymer is being utilised by Intraplás in an effort to reduce carbon footprint in their customers’ food-contact products. The Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund also awarded $100,000 to Releaf Paper last year to help produce paper packaging from fallen leaves’ cellulose fibre. By working towards a better future, Google hopes that its initiative will help move us one step closer towards a more sustainable environment.