Bring Your Own Lunchbox
Let’s set the standard for waste reduction and sustainability, one lunch at a time.
Date
April 2022
Tom Swithinbank
Senior Project Manager
In 2022, we launched an initiative to reduce waste at Temple Quay Market and Finzels Reach Market by encouraging customers to bring their own lunchbox to buy their street food.
Working alongside market hosts, Square Route Events and Sophie Bowden Events, the initiative has raised awareness that a simple switch to a reusable lunchbox can make all the difference to single-use waste reduction.
Local offices were also being encouraged to store a number of lunchboxes in the office, ready to be used by those heading out to the market. Following feedback from market customers, we now believe that this is the key route to making our initiative a success.
Project Manager, Tom Swithinbank
We know from our consultation that businesses, staff and residents in the area are really keen for the district to set the standard for waste reduction and our contribution towards a net-zero city. It’s fantastic to work with Square Route Events on this and we really hope that it can show other markets around the city and the country that we can significantly reduce waste from our popular food markets
Our survey in Summer 2023 revealed that 45% of respondents knew you could take your own container to the market but only 35% of these respondents had taken a lunchbox to the market for more than 15% of visits. 50% of respondents stated that they would be encouraged by a small discount however with margins currently very tight for the traders this is proving challenging to put into place.
9% of respondents stated they would like their office to supply a range of lunchboxes and we have been supporting a number of companies with purchasing lunchboxes for their team.