Eden Caterers & 15Hatfields – A Sustainable Partnership

Discover how Eden Caterers and 15Hatfields forged a pioneering partnership to redefine sustainable catering - cutting carbon, reducing waste, and setting new standards across the events industry.

Challenge: Aligning catering with sustainability goals

When London-based 15Hatfields opened its doors, we had a bold vision to embrace sustainability and make it the core story behind the business. However, there were challenges to overcome in ensuring that the catering services aligned with this ethos. The complexity of navigating sustainable catering, especially with the rising demand for eco-friendly packaging and sourcing, was a major hurdle.

Catering, as an industry, often relied on materials that were promoted as sustainable but had significant environmental drawbacks. The reliance on PLA (polylactic acid) food wraps for example, which required specific composting infrastructure that was not widespread, posed a key challenge. Much of this packaging ended up in landfills or incinerators, despite being marketed as eco-friendly. For 15Hatfields and Eden Caterers, the need for an innovative and truly sustainable solution was pressing and high on the agenda.

Solution: A partnership rooted in innovation

Eden Caterers has been part of 15Hatfields’ sustainability journey from the very beginning. The partnership, which began when the venue was still under construction, was founded on shared values and a common vision for creating a more sustainable events industry. Over the years, Eden played a pivotal role in helping 15Hatfields evolve our sustainable catering practices.

Rewriting industry standards

Together, we have worked on initiatives like rewriting the British Standard for Sustainable Event Management (BS8901) and driving the shift to plant-based menus, with Eden committing to a greater portion of its offerings being vegan and vegetarian. In fact, over 70% of the food that Eden supplies to 15Hatfields and other venues is now either vegetarian or vegan.

Switching to Proganic BOPP

The most recent step in our shared journey involved Eden's transition from PLA food wraps to Proganic BOPP, a revolutionary alternative that uses an additive called DegrAid. This fully biodegradable wrap breaks down into harmless wax that microbes consume, without leaving any microplastics. It is also recyclable without disrupting existing recycling streams, thus solving the problems associated with PLA. This move was made after eight months of research and testing, underlining Eden's commitment to a zero-waste future.

Sustainable sourcing and energy use

Elsewhere, sustainable sourcing practices have been incorporated at every level of the catering process, from sourcing local and seasonal ingredients to ensuring every aspect of the packaging aligns with their sustainability goals. Eden Caterers' kitchens run on renewable energy, further enhancing their carbon footprint reduction efforts.

Result: Measurable impact and industry influence

Throughout the close partnership with 15Hatfields, Eden Caterers has not only reduced its environmental impact but has also set new industry standards for sustainable catering. The shift from PLA to Proganic BOPP is just one example of the practical steps taken toward waste reduction. The collaborative effort has also led to wider awareness and adoption of sustainable practices across the events industry.

The most significant impact of their collaboration has been the reduction in food-related carbon emissions. By prioritising plant-based menus, Eden has helped reduce the carbon footprint of food production for both 15Hatfields and its event organisers. Additionally, the partnership has brought about reduced food waste, minimal packaging waste, and energy-efficient catering operations. Clients and event organisers, such as those working with 15Hatfields, are now able to meet their sustainability goals by choosing Eden's services, thus reducing their overall event carbon footprints, which, with the help of 15Hatfields' EcoSmart Carbon Calculator, can be easily provided to event organisers.

The partnership has also influenced the broader events sector, with Eden and 15Hatfields becoming thought leaders in sustainable catering practices. From their contribution to the rewriting of British Standard BS8901 to the educational initiatives Eden has undertaken with its staff and clients, this collaboration has proven that sustainability isn’t just a trend; it's a fundamental shift in how the events industry operates.

The efforts of both 15Hatfields and Eden Caterers are also seen as industry-leading in terms of encouraging other venues and caterers to adopt more sustainable practices. Their shared sustainability journey has led to both Eden and 15Hatfields being recognised as companies dedicated to tackling food waste, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting a circular economy. Very much like 15Hatfields, Eden Caterers is now preparing to dive into scope 3 emissions and the granular detail of purchasing, as 78% of their emissions come directly from purchased food.

Eden Caterers’ ongoing partnership with 15Hatfields proves that sustainability in catering is not only achievable but also has a long-lasting, positive impact on both the environment and the industry. Through our shared commitment, both organisations have demonstrated that sustainable practices can be both practical and impactful.