What is this tool?
The Up Scorecard is a science-based online tool for selecting healthy and sustainable foodware and food packaging, developed by a multi-stakeholder collaboration.
The Up Scorecard measures commonly used foodware and packaging materials with a single yardstick to offer the first-ever, free, and comprehensive tool for making sustainable purchasing decisions for these products based on the latest available science. Scores are provided for carbon, water, plastic pollution, chemicals of concern, recoverability, and sustainable sourcing. Developed through an unprecedented collaboration of leading food service companies, NGOs and technical experts, the Scorecard provides an authoritative resource for businesses as well as for environmental and human health advocates.
Why is this tool valuable?
With huge purchasing power, this industry could provide a transformative market signal to foodware and packaging manufacturers for more sustainable products. This opportunity remains mostly unrealized today, because food service industry buyers often lack the technical expertise needed to evaluate the wide range of more sustainable solutions amid increasing green marketing claims, such as recyclable, compostable, non-toxic, and low carbon.
The scorecard provides a comprehensive way to assess the sustainability impacts of food packaging and service ware. This free, open-sourced tool backed by sustainability and foodservice leaders brings consistency and transparency to the food packaging and service ware industry. The Scorecard combines life cycle assessment science, published literature, and stakeholder input to create a powerful tool that makes choosing service ware and packaging easier than ever.