An update on our ice cream packaging

Our sustainability ethos lies at the heart of our family-run farm.

For more than five decades, this has been our home, and in 2024, we made a shift by converting to a regenerative farming system. We believe this approach dramatically reduces environmental impact compared with conventional methods because it embraces more sustainable land management.

Some of the key sustainable choices we’ve made include: installing an accredited biomass wood-pellet boiler to provide all the hot water needed in our factory, covering four barns with solar panels that together generate nearly one megawatt of renewable energy, and using our own on-site borehole to supply all the water for our operations. You can find more about these initiatives on our dedicated sustainability page.

However, sustainability extends beyond farming and energy. We're continuously innovating our packaging based on industry research and invaluable customer feedback. Our updates below showcase how we’re investing in smarter, greener packaging solutions and making meaningful progress.

What has been done so far?

In 2018 we adopted plastic-lined paperboard for our signature black-and-white cow print tubs (125ml ‘mini tubs’, 180ml tubs, pops, and 80ml tubs). We choose this material because it uses significantly less plastic than fully plastic tubs, while still ensuring our ice cream stays fresh for longer.

All our tubs are 100% recyclable. Every UK council has facilities for recycling plastics, paper, and cardboard, though the exact process can vary depending on your location. To check the guidance in your area, visit the Recycle Now website.

Because the plastic coating in our tubs makes up less than 15% of their total weight, they can be recycled along with paper or cardboard, as long as they’re completely clean (yes, that means every last spoonful of ice cream enjoyed!).

In 2020, we replaced the plastic spoons in our mini tubs with biodegradable wooden alternatives, which can go straight into food waste bins.

Changes to our 1 litre tubs in 2025

After lots of testing over the last year (and a fair few melty mishaps!), we’ve made the tough decision to switch our 1-litre tubs from plastic-lined paperboard to PET plastic.

We were passionate about plastic-lined paperboard, and it works brilliantly for our mini and 500ml tubs, but sadly, the larger 1-litre size just wasn’t up to the job. The tubs were denting too easily, breaking in transit and lids weren’t sealing properly in the freezer, and that was leading to more waste. The last thing we wanted to do was create more waste through disposing of damaged tubs and wasting the uneaten ice cream inside, leading to food waste.

From the start of August 2025, you’ll notice our 1-litre tubs moving over to PET plastic. This form of plastic is sturdy, keeps your ice cream in perfect scoopable condition, and most importantly is widely recyclable in the UK plastic stream.

Recycling remains simple, just rinse out your used tub and pop it in your curb-side plastic recycling. Or even better, repurpose it! These tubs are great for leftovers, storing crayons, organising craft supplies, or keeping your cupboards neat and tidy.

How we handle plastic recycling on site

We’ve been working hard to reduce plastic waste across the farm wherever possible, from rethinking our packaging, to swapping out single-use items, to making sure every bit of unavoidable plastic is handled in the most responsible way we can.

One of our newest steps has been baling our very first HDPE (hard plastic) bale, thanks to the brilliant work of our team. By separating our hard plastics on-site, rather than relying solely on post-collection sorting, we’re reducing the number of trips our waste takes off the farm. That means fewer carbon emissions, less lorry traffic, and lower costs too.

We’ve also started doing the same with our soft plastics, continuing our mission to make every part of Marshfield Farm more sustainable and to keep improving how we manage our resources.

Moving forwards

We’re always looking for ways to make our packaging as sustainable as possible, while keeping our ice cream fresh, affordable and of course packaging which is functional for our customers. That means exploring new materials, trialling innovative ideas, and working closely with our packaging partners to see what really works, not just in theory, but in the real world.

The reality is that any packaging solution has to balance sustainability with performance and cost, and it also has to work within the UK’s current recycling infrastructure. We’re keeping a close eye on emerging technologies, from plant-based linings to edible tubs (yes, we’ve even made one!), and we’ll keep adapting as the best options become available.

In the meantime, we encourage everyone to reduce, reuse, and recycle wherever possible — every little bit helps.