Deliveroo and Pho have joined forces with Sheffield Hallam University for the return of Deliveroo’s Sustainable Packaging Challenge for the third year. This follows the successful collaboration between the delivery platform and University with GAIL’s in last year’s competition, and the launch of the challenge in 2024. 

The challenge will see students from the Higher Degree Apprenticeship Packaging Professional programme redesign two key pieces of Pho’s packaging: a bag used for its signature fresh herbs and chillies, and a container designed to keep rice and curry separate during delivery. Their designs will focus on ensuring that food reaches customers hot, fresh and spill-free, while placing sustainability at the heart of the innovation process. 

Students will have just under five months to produce prototypes that meet these objectives, receiving guidance and support from experts at both Deliveroo and Pho. The winning design will then be selected at a final exhibition, with winners receiving a £1,500 cash prize and the potential to bring their design to life, in partnership with Pho. 

Pho’s exclusive partnership with Deliveroo has seen consistent growth over the last decade. Joining the platform in 2014 with 25 sites, the fresh, healthy Vietnamese favourite has since doubled its footprint to over 50 locations nationwide. The competition presents an exciting opportunity for students to work with a national, well respected brand. 

The challenge reflects Deliveroo’s aim to support local businesses and communities, experimenting and innovating to support its sustainability goals. The cross-sector collaboration, bringing together the drive and creativity of the students, and the expertise of one of the longest standing and most popular national partners on the platform, supports the development of new and practical solutions for reusable packaging. 

Eleanor Garnier, Senior Policy Advisor, Deliveroo, said: “Deliveroo are really excited to launch our third Sustainable Packaging Challenge with Sheffield Hallam University, this year partnering with Pho. We want to prove that innovative, sustainable packaging can be affordable for businesses in the delivery sector. By bringing business and academia together, we’re fast-tracking creative sustainable solutions into the market. We can’t wait to see what the students come up with!”

Libby Andrews, Marketing Director at Pho said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to work with a group of extremely passionate and talented students who will approach our packaging challenges with an innovative eye. We are looking forward to seeing what they come up with!” 

Azucena Gómez, Course Leader at Sheffield Hallam University said: *”We are excited to build on our successful partnership with Deliveroo and to collaborate with Pho on this new challenge. This fresh opportunity encourages apprentices to push their thinking in new directions, explore innovative solutions, and gain valuable insights from working with industry leaders. 

By bringing together industry expertise and emerging talent, we create an environment that encourages creativity, experimentation, and mutual learning, ultimately delivering value for everyone while fostering innovation, growth, and success.”