Supermarkets agree to food waste reduction scheme

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

The biggest grocery retailers in the UK, along with manufacturers, have committed to a food waste reduction programme.

It is set to be delivered under the Waste & Resources Action Programme's (Wrap's) Love Food Hate Waste campaign, which hopes to save the equivalent of nearly 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Most household waste is generated from products including meat and fish, diary, bakery products and fruit and vegetables, Wrap said.

Areas such as labelling, improved storage techniques, pack sizes and packaging designed to keep food fresher for longer are to be looked at by the non-profit firm.

Signatories have committed to reducing household food waste by 155,000 tonnes by 2010.

Wrap chief executive Liz Goodwin said: "This pledge signals a concerted and consistent approach by the grocery industry to reduce household food waste.

"Taking action under the Courtauld Commitment will help the grocery sector reduce the carbon impact of food waste while delivering significant cost savings straight to the consumer pocket.

"We want to see packaging innovation and advice to help shoppers make positive product choices and make the best use of the food they buy, therefore reducing the amount of waste."

Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda are among the retailers to have signed up to the agreement.

Before Christmas, most of the UK's multiple grocery retailers agreed to cut the number of plastic bags they use in stores before this coming spring.