The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has published a set of guidelines for food companies seeking to implement circular economy principles into product development, following the completion of its Big Food Redesign Challenge.
The Big Food Redesign Challenge, which was launched in 2023, challenged food brands and retailers to develop food and beverage products with the circular economy in mind. Some 57 companies from 12 countries participated in the challenge, developing 141 successful products, many of which are now on sale in the UK, Latin America, and other markets.
Using data provided by HowGood, the products developed during the Challenge were found to score on average 18% better for nature, based on metrics including climate impact, biodiversity, and soil health.
Read more: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Reniera O’Donnell on building a circular food system
Circular design for food guide
This prompted the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to develop the Circular design for food guide, which provides ‘practical advice for successfully implementing circular design principles into your food business’, illustrated through the experiences of the companies that took part in the Challenge.
“Participating in the Big Food Redesign Challenge has introduced me to a helpful framework to redesigning food that is nature-positive,” commented Dr Jamila La Malfa-Donaldson, founder of Prohempotic, a company that uses hemp as a key ingredient in its products.
“The resources gave me the confidence to generate new product ideas to extend my range. The supporting connections have been crucial in bringing my ideas to life and to market so that they can begin to make a real-world impact for local farmers, consumers, and the environment.”
Sustainability targets
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, designing products with nature in mind can support firms in meeting their ESG targets, reducing scope 3 emissions and preparing for tightening environmental regulations.
Danielle Amaral, senior product development analyst at Horta de Terra, emphasised the collaborative benefits of taking part in the Challenge, noting that it “provided a rich network of contacts with participants from different companies and areas, stimulating the exchange of ideas and innovation, which allowed us to develop a product that meets the needs of a more diverse audience. Thanks to the Challenge, we were able to break down barriers and integrate all areas of the company.” Read more here.
