The Scrap Box fish and chip shop in York has achieved Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, after meeting global best practice for sustainability.
The restaurant, located off Hull Road near Dunnington, can now use the blue MSC ecolabel to communicate its certification to customers, providing confidence that the fish they are buying originates from an MSC certified sustainable fishery. This means that the fish comes from healthy stocks, that are not overfished, and its fishing method does not negatively impact the wider marine environment.
Aman Dhesi, who runs The Scrap Box with his brother Gavin, said: “We’re really proud of being MSC certified here at The Scrap Box. The origin of the fish we buy has always been important to us, and as a business we wanted to demonstrate that we’re doing everything that we can to protect our oceans whilst serving the food we all know and love.”
The Scrap Box underwent an audit to independently verify that it was purchasing fish that originates from an MSC certified sustainable fishery, and that the fish is safeguarded in its custody, with staff fully aware of the MSC requirements.
The certification comes on the back of The Scrap Box receiving Quality Accreditation from the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which demonstrates high standards in areas such as hygiene, equipment and food quality, and qualifying for a place in the final of Takeaway of the Year at the 2025 National Fish and Chip Awards.
Rowan Williams, commercial officer for MSC UK and Ireland, said: “Customers buying their fish and chips want to know that they’re not harming the environment when doing so, and public concern about the oceans is growing. In that context, it’s really encouraging to see The Scrap Box committing to sustainability, and showing that fish and chips don’t have to cost the earth or the ocean.”
