Our Commitment to Sustainable Packaging

At Swiss Chalet, we believe that delivering great food shouldn't come at the expense of our environment. That's why we're proud to announce a significant milestone in our sustainability journey: the transition to 100% compostable and recyclable packaging for all our delivery orders across Canada.

The Environmental Challenge of Food Delivery

The rise of food delivery services has brought convenience to millions of Canadians, but it has also created environmental challenges. Traditional takeout containers, plastic cutlery, and delivery bags generate significant waste, much of which ends up in landfills or, worse, in our oceans and natural environments.

As one of Canada's leading fried chicken delivery services, we recognize our responsibility to address this issue head-on. Our customers have also made it clear that sustainability matters to them—in a recent survey, 78% of Swiss Chalet customers indicated that environmentally friendly packaging would positively influence their purchasing decisions.

Our Sustainable Packaging Initiative

After two years of research, development, and testing, we're implementing a comprehensive sustainable packaging program across all our delivery operations. Here's what this means:

1. Compostable Containers

Our new food containers are made from bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane processing. These containers are:

• 100% compostable within 90 days in commercial composting facilities
• Free from PFAS and other harmful chemicals
• Designed to maintain food temperature and quality during delivery
• Strong enough to prevent leaks and spills

The switch to these containers alone will eliminate over 2 million plastic containers from Canadian landfills annually.

2. Plant-Based Delivery Bags

Our new delivery bags are made from plant-based materials and recycled content. These innovative bags:

• Incorporate a corn-based biopolymer lining that's biodegradable
• Use water-based inks for all printing
• Feature a special insulating layer made from recycled cotton
• Can be recycled with paper waste in most Canadian municipalities

3. Wooden Cutlery and Paper Straws

We've eliminated all single-use plastic cutlery and straws, replacing them with:

• FSC-certified wooden cutlery that's compostable
• Paper straws that break down naturally after use

Additionally, our new policy makes cutlery and straws available only by request, which has already reduced overall usage by 43% in our test markets.

4. Sauce Containers and Napkins

Even the smallest items in our delivery orders have been reimagined:

• Our signature sauce containers are now made from a combination of paper and PLA (a plant-based plastic alternative)
• Napkins are produced from 100% recycled paper and processed without chlorine bleach

Performance Testing: Maintaining Food Quality

When developing sustainable packaging, a key concern was maintaining the quality of our fried chicken during delivery. After all, sustainability shouldn't mean soggy chicken!

Our R&D team conducted extensive testing to ensure the new packaging preserves the crispiness, temperature, and overall quality of our food. The results have been impressive:

• Special venting patterns maintain crispiness by releasing steam
• The natural insulation properties of bagasse keep food hot longer than traditional containers
• Compartmentalized designs prevent sauces and sides from affecting the chicken's texture

In blind taste tests, customers actually rated chicken delivered in our new sustainable packaging higher for freshness and quality compared to our previous packaging.

Implementation Timeline

The rollout of our sustainable packaging initiative follows this schedule:

• April 2023: Complete implementation in Ontario and Quebec locations
• June 2023: British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba locations
• August 2023: All remaining provinces and territories

By September 2023, every Swiss Chalet delivery order across Canada will arrive in 100% sustainable packaging.

Customer Education

We recognize that sustainable packaging is most effective when properly disposed of. That's why each delivery order will include clear instructions for disposal, with scannable QR codes linking to detailed information about composting and recycling in the customer's specific municipality.

We're also launching a social media campaign to educate customers about proper waste sorting and the environmental impact of their choices.

Beyond Packaging: Our Broader Sustainability Commitment

Our sustainable packaging initiative is part of a larger commitment to environmental responsibility. Other initiatives include:

• Transitioning our delivery fleet to electric vehicles by 2025
• Sourcing 75% of our ingredients from within 400km of each location
• Implementing water-saving technologies in all our kitchens
• Working toward carbon-neutral operations by 2030

The Cost of Doing Right

Quality sustainable packaging does cost more than conventional alternatives. We've chosen to absorb most of this cost rather than passing it on to customers, as we believe environmental responsibility is an essential investment in our future.

The marginal increase in our operational costs is offset by the knowledge that we're helping to protect Canada's natural beauty for generations to come—something that has immeasurable value to our team and our customers.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We invite our customers to join us in this sustainability journey. By properly disposing of our packaging, providing feedback on our initiatives, and supporting businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility, you help create momentum for positive change throughout the food industry.

The next time you enjoy Swiss Chalet's fried chicken delivery, you can feel good knowing that your meal came in packaging designed with the planet in mind.

For more information about our sustainability initiatives or to provide feedback on our new packaging, please contact our customer service team or visit our sustainability page on our website.