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Gelato Uses 100% Recyclable Ice Cream Carton

Sacred Serve plant-based gelato uses a unique paperboard ice cream carton design that is now made from 100% virgin, food-safe paperboard and a food-safe, water-based barrier coating.

ice cream carton 1
Sacred Serve gelato is available in Matcha Mint Chip, Chaga Chocolate, Coconut Salted Caramel, and Saffron Chai Spice varieties.

Sacred Serve, a company making plant-based gelato, is determined to create food that's good for both people and the planet. Recently, the compay introduced a new ice cream carton that's not only 100% recyclable but also plastic-free, biodegradable, and compostable. This move makes Sacred Serve a pioneer in providing such environmentally friendly ice cream packaging.

Read article   Read about Unilever's Magnum ice cream tub, made from certified circular plastic.


The new carton design is a unique blend of a noodle-box top and a traditional ice cream tub body, featuring an integrated one-piece closure style. The purpose behind this distinctive design is to match the uniqueness of Sacred Serve's product compared to other plant-based frozen treats.

ice cream carton 3Kailey Donewald, founder and CEO, Sacred ServeFounder and CEO Kailey Donewald opted for this one-piece ice cream carton to reduce packaging. It eliminates the need for a for the separate lid — a feature commonly seen in traditional pint containers. Earlier, Sacred Serve's paper-based ice cream carton used a non-recyclable polyethylene coating to protect it from moisture and freezer temperatures.

Donewald initially faced challenges when searching for sustainable ice cream packaging, struggling to find a truly plastic-free alternative. Even though there were plant-based or less-plastic options, none were entirely plastic-free. Despite difficulties, she remained committed to avoiding an all-plastic container due to environmental concerns associated with plastic waste.

Finding a sustainable ice cream carton

ice cream carton 2Sacred Serve’s new 10-oz ice cream carton is made from a 100% virgin-fiber, food-grade paperboard, with a food-safe, water-based barrier coating.In collaboration with Midland Paper Co., Sacred Serve sourced the Delipac paper ice-cream container in the United States. The carton is multicolor offset-printed by an international paperboard specialist based in the U.K.


Watch video   Watch this video as Sacred Serve and others weigh in on sustainability.

Having switched to this 100% recyclable carton, Sacred Serve aims to educate consumers about its sustainability. On-pack instructions encourage recycling or home composting, a message echoed on social media and its website. Consumers and retail buyers have welcomed this eco-friendly innovation, boosting Sacred Serve's presence in various markets. The gelato is available in different varieties across the Midwest, Southeast, and California and through nationwide shipping on its website. PW

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