LONDON — Deliveroo has partnered with Vietnamese restaurant chain Pho and Sheffield Hallam University to launch the 2026 edition of its Sustainable Packaging Challenge, inviting packaging students to develop innovative food delivery packaging that improves sustainability without compromising food quality.

The annual initiative gives students the opportunity to work alongside industry experts while addressing real-world packaging challenges faced by food delivery businesses.

Students to Redesign Pho Delivery Packaging

This year’s competition involves students from Sheffield Hallam University’s Higher Degree Apprenticeship Packaging Professional programme.

Participants have been tasked with redesigning two key packaging components used by Pho:

• A bag for the restaurant’s signature fresh herbs and chillies
• A food container that keeps rice and curry separate during delivery

The new designs must ensure meals arrive hot, fresh and spill-free while incorporating more sustainable packaging solutions.

Students have just under five months to develop and prototype their concepts, receiving technical guidance from packaging specialists at Deliveroo and Pho throughout the project.

Winning Design Could Reach Commercial Use

The competition will conclude with a final exhibition where the designs will be evaluated.

The winning team will receive a £1,500 cash prize, while Deliveroo and Pho will explore the possibility of commercialising the winning packaging concept.

The initiative allows students to gain practical industry experience while helping restaurants develop packaging solutions that improve both customer experience and environmental performance.

Building on Previous Success

The Sustainable Packaging Challenge has already produced commercially viable packaging innovations.

Last year, Deliveroo partnered with GAIL’s Bakery, asking students to develop a more sustainable takeaway cup capable of keeping beverages hot during delivery while preventing spills.

More recently, Deliveroo introduced a locking takeaway box originally developed through the 2024 Sustainable Packaging Challenge.

Created by Sheffield Hallam University packaging students, the design was developed to reduce food waste, minimise plastic use and improve delivery performance by maintaining food temperature and preventing leaks.

Industry and Education Collaboration

Azucena Gómez, Course Leader at Sheffield Hallam University, said the partnership provides valuable opportunities for students to solve practical packaging challenges.

“We are excited to build on our successful partnership with Deliveroo and to collaborate with Pho on this new challenge. This fresh opportunity encourages apprentices to push their thinking in new directions, explore innovative solutions, and gain valuable insights from working with industry leaders.”

As food delivery continues to expand globally, initiatives like the Sustainable Packaging Challenge demonstrate how collaboration between universities, restaurants and delivery platforms can accelerate innovation in recyclable, reusable and performance-driven food packaging.

Last Updated on 09/07/2026 by Jota Machinery