Consumer & Retail
Promoting a circular economy is our pathway to sustainability. Traditionally linear, retail and food are key sectors where circularity can reduce our environmental impact. This spans land use, supply chains, production mechanisms, fabrics, foods, packaging and waste solutions.
In Hong Kong , 87% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly products and 70% agreed to avoid purchasing single-use products. Green consumerism is on the rise, and together with the UK’s advanced material research database and climate-friendly solutions , we can future-proof the industry and meet new consumer demands.
UK brands lead the way in creating the sustainable brands and packaging solutions that customers are increasingly demanding. From global fashion brands to biodegradable coffee capsules, packaging made of seaweed, sustainable farms and distilleries, the UK leads the way in sustainable solutions across supply chains, bridging tradition, craft and the most advanced technologies. From digital smart packaging that is pioneering waste recycling solutions across the food and drink market the UK is a global creative hub with renowned universities dedicated to providing the most sustainable future-proofed consumer products.
UK Industry Snapshot
- £60m
invested to develop a sustainable plastic economy across the consumer retail and food sectors. - 261 organisations in the UK have committed to the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap, including 16 retailers, 162 producers and 35 hospitality and food service businesses.
- 5.2 million jobs generated through the £220bn of output contributed by the bioeconomy in the UK (2014).
Case Study
Vegware, a UK plant-based compostable foodservice packaging company has recently launched a scheme to recycle paper products at 70 designated collection points across Hong Kong. This is in partnership with Mil Mill, the first pulp mill and education centre that recycles beverage cartons in Hong Kong.
Commercial Opportunity
An opportunity to develop innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for next generation food and drink packaging which you can exploit through the unique strengths in food and drink manufacturing, and innovation in packaging and materials science in Greater Manchester. Three quarters of the world’s top 25 food companies are based in Greater Manchester.
Company Spotlight
Arbikie Distillery
Arbikie is a rare, field-to-bottle distillery as we grow what we distil. We aim to be one of the world's most sustainable distilleries and were selected for Phase 1 of the UK Government's Green Distilleries competition. We distil the world's first climate-positive gin, Nadar which saves 1.54kg of carbon per 70cl bottle. We won the "Excellence in Sustainability' award at the Scottish Whisky Awards.
Airlite / Artec Chemical Co. Ltd.
Artec Chemical Co., Ltd. is the Hong Kong and Macau distributor for Airlite, an eco-friendly paint which can kill 99% of viruses and bacteria (including coronavirus). Also it can reduce up to 50% energy consumption from air conditioning. It has BREEAM, LEED, WELL, Cradle to Cradle and Green Seal certificates.
Belu
Belu provides filtered water systems that are good for people and good for planet. We support the hospitality industries in the UK and Hong Kong to reduce reliance on single-use products and lower carbon emissions, and we invest all of the profits in our impact partner WaterAid to bring clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to everyone, everywhere. So far, over £5million has been invested in transforming lives worldwide.
Food Made Good
Food Made Good HK is a Sustainability Consultancy with a focus on the F&B sector. Our membership programme is one of the ways we support the long-term needs of our clients. A chapter of the UK’s Sustainable Restaurant Association, we are dedicated to making every meal served out of home as sustainable as possible. Members are supported and inspired via a programme of assessments, campaigns and awards.
Green Monday
Our mission is to construct a multi-faceted ecosystem of future food that combats food insecurity, public health crises, planetary devastation, and animal suffering.
In Hong Kong, we built a hybrid platform to overhaul our food system which actively increases supply of sustainable choices by ways of retail & distribution, food tech innovations, corporate consulting, and impact investing.
We have brought all of our OmniFoods plant-based protein innovations to the UK.
Greensand Ridge Distillery
Greensand Ridge Distillery is the UKs first carbon neutral distillery, founded in 2015 to make ethical spirits which reflect the flavours and produce of the Weald region, using sustainable practices and benefiting the environment by working with local farmers and food producers to buy produce not suitable for supermarkets. Distilling this with zero chemicals and renewable power, we are the UKs most awarded sustainable distillery.
Moet Hennessy Diageo Hong Kong
Our “Society 2030: Spirit of Progress” plan is designed to make a positive impact on the world by 2030. One of the core areas is “Grain-to-Glass Sustainability” where Diageo is committed to:
- Achieving Net Zero carbon emissions across our direct operations
- Using 30% less water in every drink we make
- Using 100% recycled content in plastic packaging & that 100% of Diageo’s packaging will be widely recyclable
Moving Beans
Sustainability is becoming an important factor when it comes to single-use coffee capsules and pods - especially since plastic and aluminium capsules are producing huge amounts of waste as they become more and more popular. That's why we offer Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules that are not only completely biodegradable and compostable, but also keep your coffee fresh!
Stroodles Ltd
Stroodles Eco Tableware – Pasta Straws & More offers our famous edible pasta straws, edible spoons, edible cups, edible plates and bowls the the on-trade and retail
However we are not just a company! Stroodles is a Movement, inspiring the world, on how fun and easy it is to make small sustainable changes 'one Stroodle at a time'!
Vegware Hong Kong
Vegware is a global brand, operating across a range of markets. As such, our supply chain is spread across a range of territories including the UK and Asia. We manufacture our products close to the source of our raw plant-based materials, so that when transported, Vegware products are in their finished form.
LUSH
We place emphasis on fresh ingredients like organic fruits and vegetables and creating pioneering naked beauty products like shampoo bar, soap, bath ballistic, toothy tab, etc. Lush operates a strict policy against animal testing and supports Fair Trade and Community Trade initiatives. We lead the cosmetics industry in combating over-packaging by running public awareness campaigns and developing products that can be sold ‘naked’ without any packaging.
Meet Our Sector Lead
Arthur Yu
Head of Consumer & Retail
Arthur Yu is the Head of Consumer & Retail at the UK Department for International Trade, overseeing the Hong Kong and Macao market. He facilitates bilateral trade and investment, amplifies UK excellence in consumer sectors and secures a hindrance-free access of UK consumer goods into the market.