Domino’s is set to phase out single-use plastic in more than 710 stores nationwide. It will end the use of plastic straws and spoons from its distribution network by 30 June 2021 and move to biodegradable paper straws and wooden spoons.
The shift is estimated to keep more than 2 metric tonnes of plastic out of landfill annually – that’s up to 2.85 million pieces of single-use plastic.
Domino’s Australia and New Zealand CEO Nick Knight said World Environment Day on 5 June is a timely reminder about the negative impact single-use plastic has on the environment.
“As Australia’s largest pizza company, we know we have the responsibility and opportunity to make a significant change and are proud to be taking positive steps forward by reducing plastic consumption, and our environmental footprint.”
Domino’s is also trialling a ‘lineless box’ concept that aims to remove secondary plastic packaging from its supply chain.
Domino’s ANZ chief procurement officer Paul Connors said the results of this trial, an Australian fast-food industry innovation, could have a permanent impact on the brand’s supply chain.
“Innovation is one of our core pillars at Domino’s, and we genuinely believe there is a huge opportunity to improve the way we efficiently deliver food and packaging to stores that is more environmentally friendly and sustainable,” he said.
“This trial has been more than 18-months in the making and has involved some of the greatest minds in Australia’s food manufacturers and supply chains coming together to develop an innovative, word-class solution.”
An approved food grade lining that seals all folds is applied to the box, removing more than ~100 metric tonnes of single-use plastic per year.
Domino’s new lineless box is also 100 per cent recyclable and expected to help lower food wastage and improve food preparation times in stores.
“Domino’s stores participating in the lineless box trial (located in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast) received their first delivery in late May,” Connors said.
“We look forward to reviewing the results of this trial and exploring future sustainable supply chain practices and opportunities within the QSR industry.”
Domino’s Australia is removing all single-use plastics well ahead of the Australian Government’s National Waste Policy Action Plan deadline, which aims to phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics nationwide by 2025.
Just recently the business appointed Matthias Hansen to the role of group chief technology officer .
