Deliveroo has launched a new packaging box for food delivery, featuring a locking mechanism design developed by Sheffield Hallam University’s award-winning apprentices.

The new packaging, which hit the Deliveroo packaging webstore last week, is the result of a unique three-way partnership between Deliveroo, packaging producer BioPak and Sheffield Hallam University.

The partnership was formed as part of Deliveroo’s first Sustainable Packaging Challenge in 2024. The 2024 project challenged apprenticeship students on the Packaging Professional BSc at Sheffield Hallam to create an innovative, sustainable and cost-effective design to prevent spillages and maintain food at the right temperature.

The winning design, created by Packaging Professional degree apprentices Josephine Cooper and William Shaw, was selected for its innovative updates to an existing takeaway box, including a brand-new sealing system which uses additional folds in the cardboard to create a more secure locking mechanism.

The students were celebrated for designing a practical solution that enhances the stability of the packaging as the food travels from the restaurant to the customer’s front door, with the aim of decreasing spillages and maintaining the temperature.

The packaging’s innovative design has been produced without significant extra cost, making it a highly competitive option for restaurant partners. By opting for the apprentices’ design over traditional packaging options, partners will benefit from features designed to help combat two key challenges in the food delivery industry: temperature control and spillages.

William Shaw and Josephine Cooper, winners of Deliveroo’s Sustainable Packaging challenge and the designers of the new packaging, said:

“Seeing our design progress from a university project to a live product on the Deliveroo webstore is an incredible feeling. We focused on creating a locking mechanism that performs in the real world, and we’re proud to know our work can now be used by restaurants, reaching customer front doors across the UK. We hope this proves that sustainable packaging can be both highly functional and cost-effective.”

Jen Bagshaw, Head of Packaging at Deliveroo, said:

“We are constantly seeking innovative solutions to global challenges. Partnering with the talented apprentices at Sheffield Hallam University has been an inspiring journey, allowing us to champion the next generation of sustainable packaging designers."

"By providing the platform and financial backing to turn the students’ creative vision into a reality, we are thrilled to see this solution officially launch on our webstore for our partners to purchase."

Peter Macqueen, Associate Head, Sheffield Creative Industries Institute at Sheffield Hallam University, said:

“We’re incredibly proud of all our apprentices who have been involved. Seeing them apply their studies to tackle a real challenge in the hospitality sector has been fantastic. It’s even more rewarding to see their winning concept with Deliveroo and BioPak evolve from a prototype into a product now available on the market.”