A KFC Bucket - © 2016 kfc.ro

KFC Canada Expands Sustainable Packaging Program

KFC Canada is expanding its sustainable packaging program again, announcing a trial program testing bamboo-based Poutine buckets. It’s just the latest move by the the Chicken giant towards making 100 percent of its retail packaging recoverable or reusable by 2025…

Bamboo Grove - © mediumBamboo grows wild across most of Asia and much of the subtropics
around the world. Is it the key to sustainable packaging?

A continuing commitment

KFC divisions around the world have been exploring ideas for more environmentally responsible packaging for some time, now, and some key changes have already been made.

For example, last July, KFC Canada committed to removing all plastic bags and plastic straws from its 600+ locations across the country.

“This effectively removes 50 million plastic straws and 10 million plastic bags from restaurants – and more importantly – landfills, waterways, and the communities in which KFC Canada operates,” the company said, in a statement.

“KFC Canada believes in feeding people, not landfills. Reducing the volume of single use plastic within our restaurants ensures we are continuing to lessen our environmental footprint,” said Nivera Wallani, President and General Manager, KFC Canada. “Together with our franchisees, staff and guests, we can positively affect the communities we operate in and the health and well-being of future generations.”

Why bamboo?

Using Bamboo fibre for packaging that resists moisture and heat is not really a new idea. The giant grass plant has, in fact, been used for thousands of years as a weather-resistant building material, as well as being stripped and woven into baskets and other containers.

It’s also extremely sustainable, growing as much as 24 in. / 60 cm in a single day. The plants typically reach maturity – at a height of 18 – 20 ft. / 5 – 6 m in as little as 3 years. By comparison, pulpwood trees used to make paper and cardboard packaging take as much as 30 years to mature.

It makes sense to test the bamboo in Poutine buckets. If the material can stand up to greasy, sticky, steamy Poutine, it should be able to fill any packaging role KFC may have in mind.

“The KFC bucket is one of the most iconic symbols around the world and has always been synonymous with our world-famous chicken,” said Armando Carrillo, Innovation Manager of KFC Canada. “We’re proud of our sustainability journey and we want our customers to feel that KFC is dedicated to, not only providing Finger Lickin’ Good chicken in every bucket, but also delivering it in a way that our guests can feel good about.”

Feel-good packaging for feel-good food. A match made in  heaven…

~ Maggie J.