Homefree, a manufacturer of cookies and brownies that are gluten-free, vegan and free from 14 of the most common food allergens, has announced it has won Google’s Single-Use Plastics Challenge. The goal of the contest hosted by Google was to identify functional, plastic-free food packaging in the marketplace and spread the word about how the products could benefit Google and the entire food industry.
Homefree’s packaging focuses on improved sustainability impacts, including offering bulk options to reduce packaging materials overall and using a product wrap made with 53% reworked foodgrade materials — diverting waste from landfills, the company’s announcement explained. Cookie boxes are made with local EcoVadis Platinum rated fiber, and printing is done using wind power. The company is a certified B Corp.
Google launched the Single-Use Plastics Challenge in April 2023 in an effort in its internal foodservice division to reduce its plastic waste stream and its impact on plastics pollution across the globe. The company stated it was looking to switch from single-use plastic disposable products in its on-site foodservice operations to more reusable solutions, in anything from snack wrappers to distribution and delivery packaging.
The company invited food and beverage companies featuring single-use, plastic-free packaging solutions to apply to the challenge. It also said that finalists would have the opportunity to pitch products not just to Google, but also to leading global food operators as well.
