UK Grocery Sector Reduced Food and Packaging Waste By 1.7 Million Tons

29 Nov 2013 --- The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has welcomed news that under the Courtauld Commitment Phase 2 agreement, the UK grocery sector reduced food and packaging waste by 1.7 million tons, the equivalent of 4.8 million tons of CO2.

Results for the second phase of the voluntary agreement, which ran from 2010 to 2012, were released by WRAP today and show that good progress has been made. The supply chain target was exceeded, seeing a 7.4% reduction against a 5% target. Packaging performed well, meeting the 10% carbon impact reduction target. However, the household food waste target was narrowly missed, coming at 3.7%, just short of the 4% target – although avoidable household food waste has been reduced by 5.3%.

Many FDF members have already signed up to Phase 3 of the Courtauld Commitment which launched in May 2013 and runs until 2015. The third phase aims to further reduce the weight and carbon impact of household food waste as well grocery product and packaging waste.

Andrew Kuyk, Director of Sustainability at Food and Drink Federation said:

“Reducing waste through the Courtauld Commitment makes a major contribution to the food and drink industry's efforts to deliver sustainable growth and improve resource efficiency. We are particularly pleased to have exceeded the 5% target for 2010 to 2012 by achieving an absolute reduction of 7.4% in food and packaging waste while still increasing output to meet higher demand.”

“The Courtauld Commitment is an excellent example of how government and industry can work together in a voluntary framework for the benefit of everyone. We look forward to further progress as we continue to work with WRAP in the Commitment's next phase.”

The Courtauld Commitment is a voluntary agreement aimed at improving resource efficiency and reducing waste within the UK grocery sector. The agreement is funded by Westminster, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments and delivered by WRAP.