Enviropack

How ethical is Enviropack?

Enviropack is a packaging company which has achieved The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark on our Ethical Packaging Ratings Table. With a score of 73 out of 100, Enviropack meets the benchmark threshold, though consumers should be aware that this represents the minimum qualifying score and that stronger alternatives exist within the sector.

However, Enviropack has not yet obtained The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation. Achieving accreditation would provide independent verification of the brand’s ethical practices and help consumers easily identify Enviropack as a certified ethical choice within the packaging sector.

What does Enviropack do?

Enviropack was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Elstree, North West London, with warehouse facilities in Northamptonshire. The company distributes food-to-go packaging products including cups, hot food containers, catering packaging, cold food containers, bags, pouches, and tableware to a broad range of clients including restaurants, catering companies, cafes, schools, and NHS organisations. Enviropack was acquired by Bunzl plc in October 2022, having generated approximately £7 million in revenue in the 12 months prior to acquisition. The company employs 23 people. Bunzl plc is a FTSE 100 company listed on the London Stock Exchange and operates as a specialist international distribution group across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the UK and Ireland.

Why does Enviropack perform well ethically?

Enviropack achieves good ratings across several criteria. The brand receives a good rating for pollution prevention and maintains good standards for animal welfare and responsible marketing. Enviropack achieves a good rating for eco certifications, demonstrating engagement with recognised environmental standards for its product range. The brand has no documented public record criticisms and receives a good rating for armaments, confirming no involvement in defence or weapons-related sectors.

What could improve Enviropack’s ethical positioning?

While Enviropack meets the benchmark threshold, its ratings profile reveals several areas where performance falls short of the standard achieved by higher-ranking brands in this sector. The company’s environmental report rating is acceptable rather than good, which is a notable gap for a brand operating in the sustainable packaging space. Strengthening environmental reporting to provide more transparent and comprehensive disclosure of sustainability practices and performance metrics would help address this.

Enviropack’s ratings for toxic chemicals policy and fossil fuels are both acceptable, indicating room for improvement in chemical management and energy transition commitments. The vegan options rating is also acceptable, suggesting the product range could be broadened to include more certified plant-based or vegan packaging solutions. The political donations rating is acceptable, which consumers should note given Enviropack’s ownership by Bunzl plc, a large FTSE 100 multinational with wide-ranging commercial interests.

Most importantly, obtaining The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation would strengthen consumer confidence in Enviropack’s ethical practices. Accreditation would provide independent third-party verification of the brand’s commitments, making it easier for consumers to identify Enviropack as a certified ethical choice. Enviropack has not achieved recognition as an Ethical Innovator, a distinction held by several higher-ranking brands in this sector.

Given that Enviropack scores at the minimum threshold, consumers seeking sustainable food packaging solutions are encouraged to consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Packaging Ratings Table to identify higher-ranking brands with stronger ethical credentials and independent accreditation. Our how we rate page explains the criteria used to assess all brands in this sector.