OVER a month into a year-long project offering takeaway customers the choice of ditching single-use packaging, an eco-conscious Flintshire business involved in is hailing the scheme a real success.

Spoons and Forks café in Mold is keen to continue using the Naked Takeaway reusable food containers after the pilot has finished.

Not only do they want to help protect the environment and support a more circular economy, but their customers have been so impressed that they are now asking for their food to be in reusable containers.

The innovative 'Naked Takeaway' scheme sees reusable food containers offered to customers in Mold at Alexander’s Pizza, Asia Sensation, Spoons and Forks, and The Gathering – and in Caerwys at On the Corner Café.

Working alongside Mold and Caerwys Town Councils and Mold Plastic Reduction, the takeaway owners have introduced tiffin tins – a reusable, stainless steel set of stacking tins – or aluminium pizza cases takeaway food containers, both of which can be used time and again.

Chris Ansloos, co-owner of Spoons and Forks in Mold, said: “The feedback we’ve had from our customers about Naked Takeaway reusable tiffin tins has been great. They’ve loved having reusable tins and being environmentally friendly by saving a lot of waste packaging from going in the bin.

“Our customers tell us that they prefer the tins to our previous cardboard packaging as, apart from creating less waste, they also keep the food hotter. They’re especially good for our takeaway Sunday roast dinners.

“Overall, after six weeks of using the tins, I’ve found them a great idea and easy to work with. I would strongly recommend other businesses to use them. And will definitely continue to use them after the trial is over in a year.”

One satisfied Spoons and Forks customer, Andy Hunstone commented: “The tiffin tins are much better than other takeaway containers as they keep the food from Spoons and Forks hot for three quarters of an hour after it’s been delivered. We give them eleven out of ten – absolutely fantastic!”

Joanna Douglass Business and Regeneration Officer at Mold Town Council added: “I am delighted that Mold Town Council in partnership with Caerwys and Llangollen Town Councils, has been successful in obtaining grant funding from Welsh Government’s Circular Economy fund to purchase these tins and see them in use in our local businesses.

“As restrictions ease, this scheme assists in the green recovery for businesses. It adds to the personalised service on offer providing the customers with another choice, whilst also reducing the amount of single-use plastic.”

The Welsh Government Circular Economy Fund aims to drive forward its objective of taking action to phase out single-use plastic. Findings from the Naked Takeaway pilot project in Flintshire could pave the way for other towns to set up similar reusable food takeaway container schemes with their businesses.

To find out more, email Joanna Douglass at: business@moldtowncouncil.org.uk or visit Mold Plastic Reduction website https://moldplasticreduction.org.