About this article
Discover how our sustainability experts helped Hoge Hotelschool the Hague align their food packaging with legislation and educate their students.
23 Nov 2021
6 min
Francisco Morcillo
As an institution educating the future hoteliers of the world, the Hoge Hotelschool The Hague (HHDH) know the importance of promoting sustainable practices across all disciplines. Their number one priority was finding the best way to deal with disposable food packaging, while remaining aligned with SUP legislation. To ensure they were using disposables in the most responsible and future-proof way, HHDH partnered with Verive.
The challenge: responsible use of disposables in foodservice education
When training future hoteliers and hospitality leaders, education must be forward-looking. The choices made today directly influence how the industry will evolve tomorrow.
At HHDH, honest storytelling is a key educational pillar. While reducing and reusing remains essential, disposables are sometimes unavoidable in the foodservice sector. This raised important questions: What is the honest story when it comes to disposables? How can foodservice disposables be used responsibly? How does current and upcoming SUP legislation affect these choices?
Verive’s commitment to transparency made our team a perfect match for this challenge.
Why did the Hoge Hotelschool The Hague choose Verive?
“We were looking for a partner who could give us honest and clear advice about the SUP legislation,” says Bjorn Mielke, Food & Beverage Controller at HHDH. “We also wanted to know exactly which steps we had to take to handle disposables sustainably, for now and in the future. We were looking for a partner with experience in the foodservice market and extensive knowledge of materials, products and legislation. We soon found Verive’s consultancy services. They too have the objective to provide people with clear and honest information.”
Understanding SUP legislation and foodservice packaging responsibilities
The collaboration started with a deep dive into HHDH’s organisation, objectives, and constraints. Verive’s consultants then conducted a detailed analysis of the disposable packaging products purchased by HHDH over the previous year. The analysis focused on:
- Whether products fall under current SUP legislation
- Which legislative changes are coming next
- Opportunities for improvement
- Which packaging choices are future-proof and which are not
Verive’s solution: a clear, future-proof packaging strategy
Based on the analysis, Verive provided structured guidance addressing:
- What actions are required in the short term
- What will change in the medium to long term
- Which topics do not yet require action
In addition, Verive presented alternative packaging options that better align with legislation and long-term objectives, helping HHDH make informed and future-proof decisions.
Beyond packaging: knowledge, training, and honest communication
Verive’s approach extended beyond products alone. The consultants also focused on the students and employees at HHDH, addressing questions such as:
- What knowledge is needed to explain packaging choices clearly?
- How can students tell an honest story about disposables in foodservice?
- What training is required to support consistent decision-making?
The result was not just a set of recommendations, but the knowledge to implement them effectively, both now and in the future.
The outcome for Hoge Hotelschool The Hague
The analysis and recommendations provided clarity and direction for HHDH’s next steps. “The conversations with Verive gave me more insight into our approach to disposables and packaging,” says Bjorn Mielke. They showed us that we are on the right track, and that we can go further. The product analysis and alternative packaging suggestions will strongly support our future goals.”
“Working with Verive has taught me to look at the whole process, from raw materials and production to waste processing. I now see much more clearly how to deal with disposables in a responsible way.”
A shared vision for future-proof foodservice
The collaboration was equally positive from Verive’s perspective. Marcea van Doorn, sustainability expert at Verive at the time, explained:
“We both believe in sharing knowledge and always telling an honest story. The Hoge Hotelschool The Hague faced challenges around materials, choices, and legislation. Together, we developed a future-proof plan that everyone within the organisation can stand behind.”
Do you want to future-proof your business or establishment?
Are you also interested in improving your sustainability credentials and future-proofing your business? Do you want to be sure that your product range is in line with legislation, or do you want to understand how you can be one step ahead of the new legislation that is coming?
