Speciality Food Magazine -November/December 2025

M aking sustainable choices in temperature-controlled packaging (TCP) delivers benefits that go far beyond environmental impact. By reducing carbon emissions, minimising waste to landfill, and improving resource efficiency, businesses can significantly lower their overall footprint while maintaining product integrity. Sustainability also builds commercial strength. Consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that act responsibly, rewarding transparency with trust and loyalty. In a competitive market, demonstrating genuine environmental commitment can set a business apart, offering both reputational and operational advantages. With evolving regulations placing greater emphasis on packaging accountability, taking a sustainable approach today helps ensure compliance. At Icertech, we believe in making temperature-controlled packaging as simple and as straightforward as possible for our customers. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution and it’s not just a matter of choosing “this material” or “that ice pack.” Every customer’s application is unique, and our goal is to ensure packaging is truly fit for purpose: protecting product integrity without being excessive. A holistic approach True sustainability extends beyond environmental factors. While reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions, and choosing recyclable materials are all vital steps, they form just one part of a much bigger picture. A genuinely sustainable business model takes a holistic approach – one that considers the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. This means looking at how decisions impact not only the specialityfoodmagazine.com IN PARTNERSHIP WITH All of these changes on the horizonmean that companies will be constantly innovating, so keep a look out for new, sustainable packaging products to be released soon, the future is exciting! There’s more to uncover – get the full report today specialityfoodmagazine.com/sustainablesupply 21 A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Alex Jackson, sales and marketing director at pioneering temperature-controlled packaging business, Icertech, explains why taking a holistic approach to sustainability is vital environment, but also the people involved- from employees and suppliers to customers and the wider community. A business can’t be truly sustainable if its practices harm the wellbeing of its workforce or undermine the communities it operates in. Equally, sustainability must be economically viable. Profit isn’t in contradiction to sustainable values, as profit is ultimately what allows businesses to invest in better processes, innovate, and make lasting improvements. Taking a holistic approach ensures that progress in one area doesn’t come at the expense of another. It can be a lot to consider on top of the other challenges that comes with running a business and growing a brand. A manageable approach is to focus on doing one thing better that you are currently. Moving forward with TCP For those reviewing their existing packaging, or for those new to the sector it’s helpful to consider the following questions: ● Time frame: How long does the packaging need to maintain the required temperature? When discussing your needs with your supplier, provide as much detail as possible. ● Temperature range: What are the specific temperature requirements for your product throughout the journey? ● Other factors: Consider storage space, sustainability goals, and the level of impact protection required. The future of packaging is changing quickly, driven by HOW TO COMMUNICATE RESPONSIBLY 1 Share the “why” behind material choices, explain the points you have considered. 2 Keep disposal instructions clear and simple. 3 Back claims with credible testing, certifications, or lifecycle data. 4 U se well recognised marks, such as OPRL. 5 Ask questions to their suppliers to ensure they are as informed as possible. 6 Be transparent. We welcome questions from our customers, and it puts them in a good position to answer any queries from their customer in turn. Our suggestion is that you’re as transparent as possible with this information. customer demand and legislation. In 2027 Simpler Recycling legislation will be introduced, requiring packaging to be clearly labelled and allowing soft plastics to be recycled with curbside collections. Through schemes like EPR, the cost of non-recyclable materials will increase overtime to account for their disposal. All of these changes on the horizon mean that companies will be constantly innovating, so keep a look out for new, sustainable packaging products to be released soon, the future is exciting! THE REALITY BEHIND SUSTAINABILITY MYTHS MYTH: SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING IS MORE EXPENSIVE While it’s true that sustainable packaging can come with a higher upfront cost, focusing solely on price overlooks the bigger picture. The introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation means that the financial burden of using non-recyclable materials is set to increase, reducing the gap between traditional and sustainable options. Choosing sustainable packaging is not just about meeting environmental targets; it’s about future-proofing your business, strengthening consumer trust, and aligning with the values of a market that increasingly expects brands to take responsibility for their impact. In this sense, sustainability is less a premium and more a long- term investment in brand integrity and resilience MYTH: RECYCLABLE MEANS SUSTAINABLE True sustainability considers the entire lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to the impact of manufacturing, and end-of-life options. Some materials whilst technically recyclable are rarely recycled due to lack of infrastructure. MYTH: NATURAL MATERIALS ARE ALWAYS BETTER Paper, cardboard, or plant-based materials are seen as inherently eco-friendly. Whilst they are natural materials, it is important to still ensure that they are sourced responsibly, and that you take into consideration additonal factors such as supply chain. INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION – WHY, WHAT AND HOW You’re looking for an external body, neutral to the business and its objectives/agenda, to verify environmental claims. Independent verification ensures that claims are credible, accurate, and trustworthy, helping customers make informed decisions and preventing misleading or greenwashed messaging. Marks/logos to look for are, but not limited to: ● EcoVadis ● B-Corp ● Investors in People ● FSC ● ISO 14 001 ● Fairtrade ● Rainforest Alliance ● UN SDG’s Discover more at: icertech.co.uk