Building on the widespread success of its world-first closed loop recycling scheme for meal trays, leading meals provider, apetito, has further advanced its programme through investing in a dedicated sorting facility – increasing operational capacity and supporting the scheme’s continued expansion across its customer base.

This investment also marks a significant milestone for the pioneering initiative, with the business having now recycled over 40 million trays nationwide since it began back in 2021. First rolled out across its consumer business, Wiltshire Farm Foods, the system now operates through partnering Healthcare and Care Homes customers too, with an increasing number of sites taking part month-on-month.

The scheme, “Project Boomerang”, involves apetito collecting back its washed, used PET meal trays directly from customers and sending them to a specialist recycling facility in the UK. The business guarantees that 100% of the collected trays are recycled into brand new trays which are then distributed back to the company for use, ensuring a closed loop system and generating better results than household recycling – where 46% of what is collected gets sent abroad for processing with uncertain results.

Opening a sorting facility provides additional space and resource for the system to operate efficiently and continue expanding further across apetito’s customers – driving up return volumes across the country.

This expansion announcement also follows the Government’s confirmation that it will be introducing of an offset for closed loop recycling schemes from the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, a pivotal step forward in the investment of a more circular economy.

This update to legislation was applauded by the meal provider and encourages the continued investment in its world-leading circularity system.

Lee Sheppard, Director of Corporate Affairs, Policy and Sustainability says:

“We have seen continued growth and success in “Project Boomerang” since its inception and are extremely proud of the progress made to date. Opening this site gives us the opportunity to really drive forward this scheme and increase the volume of trays that we’re recycling from our customers, whilst continuing to reduce our carbon footprint.

“We are delighted that the Government listened to industry and announced the offset for closed loop recycling systems within the EPR legislation, demonstrating its support for such schemes that align closely with its ambition to restore and enhance the environment for future generations. This support encourages us to continue building on our pioneering initiative and taking steps that we know are the right thing to do for the planet.

“Investing in this facility marks a pivotal step in this expansion and demonstrates our strong commitment to leading the way in sustainable business practice and innovation - moving towards a more circular economy on our journey to reaching Net Zero.”