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We tried some of the most sustainable meal delivery services, including Green Chef, Daily Harvest, and Splendid Spoon. Read on to see which other services made our list of top picks.
What you eat affects not only your health but also the environment.
In fact, a 2020 review of research on different eating patterns suggested that more sustainable diet plans resulted in a greenhouse gas reduction of almost 26% compared with typical eating patterns.
However, it’s not always possible to plan, shop for, and cook sustainable meals at home.
Meal delivery services provide a convenient solution for busy weeknights by shipping boxes of ingredients or fully prepared meals right to your door.
But they also raise questions about sustainability, so we investigated some common meal delivery services to see which ones had the best sustainable practices. Here’s who won out.
Disclaimer: All the services tested below were tried by Healthline writers or editors who received the meals for free. All opinions are our own.
With so many meal delivery services available, you may be wondering which is the best for the environment.
We researched the best eco-friendly meal delivery services based on the following criteria:
Packaging
Using a meal delivery service usually means you’ll be faced with lots of trash and recycling each week. Some of this is unavoidable (for example, meats usually need to be packaged in plastic to avoid leakage). But some services are better than others when it comes to waste.
We looked for services that prioritize recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging. We also considered services that use alternative insulation and cooling materials.
Ingredients
Eating sustainably also means considering ingredient sources. We included services that offer plant-based meals or meats that are sourced in more sustainable ways. We also prioritized services with organic and seasonal ingredients.
Variety and flavor
We were careful not to compromise flavor when making our list. We personally tested each service and looked for ones that we thought would suit a variety of dietary needs and preferences.
While it may be surprising, many meal delivery services offer a more sustainable way to eat.
For example, because they deliver either fully prepared meals or the exact amounts of ingredients needed, meal delivery services can help cut back on food waste.
Many also prioritize organic ingredients, which are grown using more sustainable farming practices, as well as seasonal produce, sustainable meats and fish, and eco-friendly packaging.
On the other hand, these services tend to contribute quite a bit of trash, as each ingredient is often packaged individually and the packaging may not always be recyclable.
Still, one study from 2019 found that, compared with grocery store meals, meal kits create less food waste and have lower last-mile logistics emissions (those related to the transportation of goods from their hub to their final destination), contributing 33% less greenhouse gas emissions.
Of course, some meal delivery services are more sustainable than others.
Additionally, there are lots of ways that you can become a more sustainable eater, with or without a meal delivery service, including:
Sustainability comes from limiting waste from both food ingredients and packaging. A more sustainable meal might use just the right amount of ingredients that are produced using sustainable practices and, ideally, sourced from as nearby as possible. It would also be delivered in reusable or recyclable packaging.
How you dispose of eco-friendly packaging will depend on the materials it’s made of and where you live.
Be sure to check the website of the meal delivery service you order from, which will include instructions for disposing of the packaging. This is especially important for materials such as cold packs used to keep your food fresh or frozen. These often need to be thawed and drained before you dispose of them.
When it comes to recycling, some communities have curbside recycling programs, while others may require you to bring the packages to your local recycling center.
It depends on the company you order from.
The increase in food delivery has led to increases in carbon emissions, mostly due to the use of packaging. Researchers expect to see the number of food delivery orders increase to 65 million in 2024, which could lead to a 132% rise in carbon emissions.
Still, there isn’t data specific to meal delivery services and their total waste.
If you want to choose a more sustainable meal delivery service, look for one that uses local, organic ingredients; offers plant-based meals; and prioritizes recyclable and compostable packaging.
If you’re new to using a meal delivery service, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Depending on how many meals you choose to receive, you may still need to plan other meals for the week, as well as other items such as beverages and snacks.
This also means you’ll want to budget for both your meal delivery and any other groceries you’ll need for the week.
If you’ve chosen a meal delivery that includes prepared meals, you’ll want to read instructions for how to store and heat the food.
Alternatively, if you’ll be preparing the meals yourself, be sure to review the recipes ahead of time. That way, you can plan your prep time accordingly and ensure that you have the right cookware and tools.
Using a meal delivery service can be a great way to reduce food waste and help decrease your carbon footprint.
Many services are available, and if sustainability is important to you, you can look for one that prioritizes sustainably sourced ingredients, plant-based foods, and recyclable or compostable packaging.
Lastly, be sure to consider your budget, dietary restrictions and preferences, and the amount of time you’re willing to spend in the kitchen.
Last medically reviewed on March 27, 2024
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Jarmul S, et al. (2020). Climate change mitigation through dietary change: A systematic review of empirical and modelling studies on the environmental footprints and health effects of ‘sustainable diets.’ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7610659/
Jia SS, et al. (2022). Perspective: Are online food delivery services emerging as another obstacle to achieving the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8928270/
