The entrepreneur behind gluten free granola start-up, Cheeky Nibble, is committed to ensuring that her delicious products are as sustainable as possible. That meant embarking on a packaging journey that began with trialling compostable plastic before OPRL’s expert advice and supportive approach resulted in the roll out of recyclable packaging across its entire product range.
Since 2021 Cheeky Nibble has been on a mission to become the leading brand for premium, fun and delicious snacks and cereals which are free from allergens yet full of flavour. The idea is to offer customers an ethical and allergen free alternative to a traditional snack or breakfast ‘on the go’.
Having originally launched with compostable packaging, the brand soon discovered some challenges with the model. Many customers were simply putting the packaging in with their general waste bin, which risks contaminating and blocking the recycling process.
Cheeky Nibble was also finding compostable packaging limited the shelf life of its products – it was time for a change.
As a time-poor founder with a growing business to nurture, Marietta Hickman immediately felt the benefit of OPRL’s expertise.
Research shows that just 10% of the UK population can effectively compost at home, but as OPRL knows only too well, for the remaining 90% the best place to dispose of compostable plastics is in landfill.
In order to ensure that packaging was disposed of in the most sustainable way and to extend the shelf life of Cheeky Nibble’s products, our team advised moving to fully recyclable packaging. Thanks to OPRL’s expert advice and guidance, Marietta felt informed and supported throughout the process.
By offering guidance on the company’s specific packaging challenges and understanding the founder’s ambition to be as sustainable as possible, OPRL’s team have offered a cost-effective and practical solution to a complex business challenge.
The result? Cheeky Nibble is well-positioned to reduce wastage and expand internationally, thanks to the improved shelf life of its delicious granola. Moreover, since joining OPRL the brand also has access to further knowledge surrounding the entire recycling process – from using the right materials and labelling, through to upcoming recycling legislation.
Membership Category: Small Retailer & Brands
Industry Sector: Food & Drink
Case Study Date: July 2024
OPRL Member Since: May 2023
Founder of Cheeky Nibble
“I decided to go with OPRL because they were incredibly helpful at assisting in the assessment stage. I was able to not only find out exactly what labelling we needed but they went above and beyond to help me solve the challenge of communicating how to dispose of the packaging with customers. The team at OPRL also reassured me and renewed my confidence in the decision to move to recyclable packaging, which has positioned the business for growth without having to compromise on our commitment to sustainability”
Here at OPRL, we’re committed to acting as a committed advisor when it comes to all packaging decisions – we’re trusted by numerous household brands both large and small. Read more about how we’re helping Tata Consumer Products, the parent company behind the UK’s most well-loved tea brands, accelerate to a circular economy here.
If you like what you’ve heard, drop us a line and find out how we can help solve your packaging challenges by heading over to: https://oprl.org.uk/join/ and arranging to speak to one of our experts.