Shortlisting for Sustainable Brand of the Year
We’ve been shortlisted!
We’re thrilled to announce that Marigold Health Foods has been shortlisted for Sustainable Brand of the Year at the 2025 Environmental Packaging Awards (@Packaging News) – in partnership with our packaging supplier, Sonoco.
This recognition highlights our commitment to sustainability – from our responsibly sourced ingredients to the use of fully recyclable packaging that helps reduce environmental impact.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony during Environmental Packaging Live, taking place on 24 June 2025 at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground in London.
At Marigold Health Foods, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. For over 40 years, we have been committed to providing tasty, healthy, and responsibly sourced foods that nourish both people and the planet. Our focus extends beyond just the plant-based ingredients in our products—it’s also about ensuring that our packaging aligns with our environmental values.
As part of this commitment, we partnered with Sonoco to introduce a fully recyclable paper-based solution for our Super Engevita Nutritional Yeast Flakes. This transformation wasn’t just about upgrading packaging—it was about staying true to our mission of delivering food in the most sustainable way possible.
Previously, our packaging included a cardboard body with a steel base, which posed challenges for recycling. Recognising the need for a more circular solution, Sonoco developed a 95% paperboard alternative with paper bottom. This move significantly improved the pack’s recyclability, making it widely accepted across UK and European recycling streams.
The change to a paper base has enabled the product to be easily recycled by the majority of, if not all UK councils and their nominated recycling facilities. Our new solution is made from 95% paper (the paper is ethically sourced and FSC certified), with 60% sourced from post-consumer recycled fibre. The remaining 5% consists of an essential inner liner that preserves freshness. By eliminating the steel base and adopting Sonoco’s recyclable paper-based technology, we’ve significantly improved our carbon footprint. Fully recyclable within the UK’s wastepaper stream, this packaging innovation supports a circular economy by helping to reduce landfill waste and promoting responsible consumption.
However, sustainability is about more than just materials—it’s about impact. To make this transition possible, we made significant investments in new packaging machinery, ensuring a seamless switch to an eco-friendlier format without compromising on product integrity. Our new packaging provides the same moisture and oxygen barrier protection as before, keeping our nutritional yeast flakes fresh for longer while reducing our carbon footprint.
Beyond packaging, we actively support responsible consumer habits by joining the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) Scheme, helping customers understand how to recycle our products properly. Our clear, easy-to-read recycling labels empower consumers to make sustainable choices, reinforcing our dedication to transparent and responsible business practices.
This initiative is just one of many steps in Marigold’s broader sustainability journey. We have a good selection of certified organic food and, in general, we work closely with our stockists to promote healthy, plant-based foods that support ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. Whether through our carefully selected ingredients, our responsible supply chain, or our fully recyclable packaging, we are dedicated to making sustainable food choices accessible to all.
Our partnership with Sonoco is a testament to what can be achieved when brands and packaging experts work together towards a shared goal. By integrating innovative, fully recyclable solutions into our business, we are demonstrating that sustainability is not just a feature of our packaging—it’s embedded in the DNA of Marigold Health Foods.
Together, we’re not just reducing waste; we’re reshaping the future of food packaging and setting a new benchmark for what it means to be a truly sustainable brand.