Students develop recyclable curry and rice packaging for Pho

Two students from Sheffield Hallam University have won Deliveroo's 2026 Sustainable Packaging Competition after developing a new packaging design for Vietnamese restaurant chain Pho.

Now in its third year, the competition is organised in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and Enviropack. It brings together students and industry representatives to explore packaging solutions that could potentially be adopted by restaurants operating on Deliveroo's platform.

This year's challenge involved students enrolled on Sheffield Hallam University's Higher Degree Apprenticeship Packaging programme, who were asked to redesign takeaway packaging for Pho, which operates more than 50 restaurants across the UK.

Participants were given just under five months to develop a container suitable for transporting the restaurant's curry and rice dishes. The packaging needed to keep the two components separate during delivery, prevent sauce spillages and maintain food temperature, while also considering the environmental impact of the materials used.

George Fowles and Jessica Walklett were named the winners for their design, known as the Terapot, receiving a £1,500 cash prize.

The Terapot consists of a semi-circular container manufactured from recyclable pulp, designed to hold curry inside a larger bowl containing rice. Its shape allows the two food components to be transported together while remaining separated.

The smaller container features an outer lip designed for handling and is positioned at a height that allows it to fit tightly against the bowl's lid. This arrangement is intended to prevent the curry from spilling into the rice during transportation while helping to retain heat.

The judging panel highlighted the design's functionality and material choice, as well as its compatibility with Pho's existing packaging range. By fitting within the restaurant's current packaging system, the concept could offer a more cost-effective route towards potential commercial production.

The 2026 competition follows the previous year's collaboration with bakery chain GAIL's, when students were challenged to develop a more sustainable coffee cup design.