Takeaway food chain Camile Thai Kitchen is trialling reusable packaging in a pilot programme in association with Vytal Ireland, an app-based reusable platform.

From Monday 13 March, customers visiting the Camile Thai outlet on Pearse Street in D2 will have the option to choose to reuse when they order, with no deposit required.

Patrons will have 14 days to return the packaging to the outlet where it will be reabsorbed into the system and ready for its next use.

If the containers are not returned on time, the consumer pays a charge.

Originating in Germany, the Vytal reuse system is Ireland’s first digital reusable platform for takeaway food and beverage packaging, enabling consumers to sign up and ‘borrow’ individually assigned QR coded packaging.

In Association with

Vytal says its containers can be used over 200 times, and claims that ten uses ‘saves’ up to 30kg of CO2 compared with polystyrene or aluminium packaging.

Daniel Greene, managing director at Camile Thai Kitchen, commented: “We are proud to be the first takeaway in Ireland to offer our customers the opportunity to choose to reuse their packaging with Vytal’s innovative technology.

“This pilot will enable our customers to cut down on their packaging waste, but it also provides a convenient city centre location for Vytal users to deposit their packaging for free.

“Our overall aim is to encourage, enable and increase the uptake in reusable solutions across the industry, reducing the circulation of single-use containers and supporting a circular economy.”

Michelle Moloughney, co-founder of Vytal Ireland, commented: “The simple and efficient return will hopefully encourage more customers to try this service and see for themselves how easy it is to choose to reuse.”

The Vytal app has c.400,000 registered across Europe, according to the company.

Camile Thai’s other sustainability initiatives include a vegan menu that aims to reduce the carbon impact of the food served by up to 30%, and compostable packaging for its takeaways.

The chain also plans to phase out plastic forks, knives and spoons from its stores.

Photo: Michelle Moloughney and Daniel Greene. (Pic: Naoise Culhane)