Co-founders Ilana Taub and Michael Minch-Dixon started Snact by collecting fruit that would otherwise be thrown away at London’s wholesale markets, making snacks in a kitchen in Hackney, and selling them at markets and events across London.
First of its kind in the UK
Thanks to Crowdfunder they raised £13,516 to take the firm to the next level, and believe small changes can lead to big impacts.
Taub told BakeryandSnacks it originally launched its products in plastic because it couldn’t find an environmentally friendly option but now its fruit jerky will be sold in 100% compostable packaging - the first of its kind in the UK.
“We're planning to launch more snacks made from surplus,” she said.
“Our aim has always been to tackle food waste and it will remain so, and we will continue to look for the most sustainable packaging option possible.
“Michael and I created Snact because we want to have a positive impact on the world and wanted to create a business that does things differently. We both have an environmental background so sustainability is at the absolute core of what we do.
“We had looked for sustainable packaging previously just before we launched our new packs at the end of last year but didn't find anything that met the requirements we had. We launched with a traditional plastic film knowing that we would keep looking for a more sustainable option and luckily we came across TIPA very quickly. The packaging offered us all of the properties that traditional plastic provides, which is exactly what we needed.”
TIPA packaging biologically decomposes within 180 days, similar to the process of orange peel waste. In tests run by the firm’s labs to simulate home composting conditions, the Snact packaging decomposed in 24 weeks.
Fight against food waste
Daphna Nissenbaum, CEO/co-founder of TIPA, said this is its first collaboration for the UK market, adding that a brand like Snact was a natural fit for the partnership in its fight against food waste.
“Many consumers would prefer to treat their food packaging as a natural part of their kitchen waste,” said Nissenbaum.
“Over 9.6 million tonnes of plastic waste is sent to landfill every year in Europe and something has to change. At TIPA, we have packaging that will be a game-changer for the industry.”
She added TIPA is currently trialing its products with a number of UK brands within the grocery retail sector and hopes to see further partnerships announced as brands recognise the benefits of its technology.
Its products include standalone and printed coextruded high-transparent cast films, which are sealable and printable for fresh produce, bakery and grain-mill products. It also has transparent and non-transparent laminate series for stand-up pouches, granola bars, potato chips and dried foods.
Taub said Snact has changed the design on the new packs to reflect how proud and excited they are to be using a fully compostable material. They will start appearing in retail outlets, online and across the UK in a gradual roll-out to replace the products with plastic packaging.
“This relaunch will ensure our packaging matches the ethos of the company: promoting sustainability and tackling the causes of waste - now reducing packaging waste as well as food waste. It is a big step in making our business sustainable in every way,” she added.