THE efforts of Roberts Bakery to leave a smaller footprint on the planet have been recognised with a prestigious award.

The Rudheath bakery picked up the award for Best Packaging of a New Product at the UK Packaging Awards 2020.

It recognises the brand's commitment to sustainability and innovation, which has been shown in the new packaging for its Ultimate Hot Cross Buns.

Will Harrop, packaging manager at Roberts, said: “It goes without saying that we’re both delighted and proud.

"When we rebranded in 2017, our journey began to become the nation’s most innovative, next generation bakery brand.

"Sustainable packaging innovation is at the heart of this – and we’re working really hard to reduce some of the 11,000 or so tonnes of hard-to-recycle plastic packaging produced by bakeries like us, across the UK, every year."

Roberts is the only UK bakery brand to flow wrap its fresh buns in easily-recyclable paper.

The firm says this was a real challenge to accomplish, with a development process that also saw Roberts trial and invest in new equipment to heat seal and run on a flow wrapper – helping to keep the buns fresh for a shelf life of six days.

And Roberts is flying the flag for homegrown innovation – as design, development and manufacture of the product and print all took place in the UK.

Will added: “Our now award-winning packaging also helped us secure a national listing with Tesco.

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"Sustainable packaging innovation is at the heart of this, and we’re thrilled to have already claimed a number of UK bakery packaging firsts in such a short space of time."

Will picked up the award virtually, with the winners in all 25 categories being revealed online, rather than at the usual glittering event due to coronavirus.