Information for Essential Retail Packs and Bulk Commodities

Our Commitment

Sustainability is one of Essential’s core values. We are constantly working to improve our range of packaging materials to reduce our reliance on plastic and waste.

Essential Brand Packaging

Retail Packs

Our branded leaf-detail retail packs are made of heat-sealed polypropylene bags (multi-layered biaxially orientated polypropylene film laminated with a solvent-free adhesive). This kind of polymer is recyclable (recycling number 5) but is not generally collected for household recycling by Local Authorities in Bristol.

Our flour and some herbs are packed in 100% recyclable paper packaging and sealed with paper tape.

Catering size packs

Our larger packs of 5kg and 10kg clear plastic packs are made of polythene and can be recycled by some Local Authorities and at carrier bag collection points in all major UK supermarkets.

Paper packs

All of our flour, and as many herbs as possible are packed in 100% recyclable paper packaging; they are sealed with paper tape, as opposed to ubiquitous plastic tape.

Cases of 25g herbs and spice

Our herb and spice packs are made of cardboard and have a Natureflex inner. This is fully recyclable.

Steel and Aluminium

We sell a number of retail and catering-sized products in steel cans which are widely recycled. One concern around canned goods is the presence of BPA (Bisphenol A), but our products are all BPA non-intent. This includes Essential tomato puree, packed in aluminium tubes with recyclable plastic lids.

Glass jars

Several Essential products are packed in glass jars or bottles with (no added BPA) “tin plate” (steel) lids – all fully recyclable. We encourage the re-use of glass jars before opting to recycle. Our large soup jars and coconut oils in particular make a great refillable container!

Teas

Essential teas come in a recyclable cardboard case, and teabags are in individual recyclable paper sachets.

Pasta

All our bulk-sized pasta is packaged in plastic-free boxes or paper sacks, both of which are fully recyclable.

Toilet tissue

Our 100% recycled and award-winning toilet tissue is packed in film that is home-compostable.

Bulk commodities

Our bulk commodities are sourced from multiple producers all over the world. As such, the packaging is liable to change throughout the year. The below attempts to give a generalised overview but due to the nature of the industry, we are unable to provide any guarantees as to which materials various bulk commodities will be packed in.

Paper

We nearly always receive the following products in recyclable paper sacks:

• Cereals and flour
• Beans & pulses
• Seeds (some types)

Plastic

To protect more susceptible produce from insects, environmental damage or decay, it is currently necessary for some bulk commodities to be packed inside a plastic bag within a cardboard outer. These products include:

• Some fruits, for example, vine fruits. These are lightly coated in oil in order to stop them sticking together. Without the plastic, the cardboard outer would be compromised.
• Nuts
• Some of the more oily seeds

Variations

Due to the variety of producers that we buy from, we expect a particular fluctuation in packaging for the following items:

• Rice (paper or plastic sack) 2021