Restaurant celebrates 500 tiffin milestone

A West Yorkshire restaurant is helping cut plastic waste.

The Crafty Indian, in Shipley, Bradford, has sold its 500th reusable steel tiffin tin since introducing the eco-friendly containers in 2020. 

Owner Harry Khinda, whose family brought the tiffin tradition from Punjab in the 1960s, aimed to replace single-use plastic takeaway boxes. 

Each tiered steel tin keeps food hot or cold, can be eaten straight from the container and offers a ten per cent discount to customers.

The initiative has prevented an estimated 100,000 plastic containers from going to landfill.

Harry said: “Before the tiffins, we would use upwards of 20,000 plastic containers and bags every year for takeaway orders. 

“These days the vast majority of our regular customers own their own tiffins, which they bring with them whenever they order a takeaway. 

“Not only do they reduce plastic use and waste, but they keep the food an awful lot warmer when taking it home.”

Harry added: “If you do the maths, it only takes ten £20 takeaways before the cost has been covered by the tiffin discount. 

“It really is a win-win situation for the customer, the planet and The Crafty Indian – as they’re a real talking point, so much so that we’ve sold some on the back of someone seeing them in a friend’s kitchen.”

Josephine Booth, the buyer of the 500th tiffin sold by Harry, added: “The tiffins look great, keep your takeaway really warm – all the way back home to Otley in my case –  and, as Harry says, they’re helping to play a part in reducing plastic waste.” 

Meanwhile, Matt Thompson, who along with his partner, Claire Wallis, bought the 501st and 502nd tiffins on the same evening, added: “This is the first time I’ve been to The Crafty Indian and it’s been great. 

“The food’s fantastic, the craft beer selection really does make a change from the usual choice of Kingfisher or Cobra and I just couldn’t leave without buying a couple of tiffins. 

“I’ll definitely be popping in with them on the way home from Bradford City matches from now on.”

The Crafty Indian, formerly Michelin-listed Zaara’s, rebranded in 2019 as a street food and craft beer destination, combining sustainability with a growing local and regional following.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →