Trials funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme to the tune of 250,000 could lead to “major investment” by the company in slimming down the weight of cans used for its food products.
” We are confident that the retail supply chain will want to replicate the findings of this research. “
– Mike Robey, WRAP
The grant has come from WRAP's 8 million waste minimisation innovation fund, which is also now supporting waste-cutting projects undertaken for Marks & Spencer, B&Q; and Waitrose products.
Seven new projects announced today take the total number now funded by the innovation fund to 17, with a value so far totaling 2 million.
Mike Robey, WRAP’s Innovation Fund Manager, said: “If they are successful, we are confident that the retail supply chain will want to replicate the findings of this research, which could lead to significant reductions in household waste and cost-savings for the sector.”
Target
With research suggesting 40% of the contents of the average household bin originates from supermarket shelves, WRAP has set itself targets to reduce this waste by 310,000 tonnes through its innovation fund.
Potentially, the trials run by Heinz could lead to the saving of 28,000 tonnes of waste if the manufacturer decides to use the technology developed across its entire product range.
Heinz operations improvement manager Stuart Pycroft said cans being developed would set a “new standard for the canning industry”. He said: “The trials will ensure that the new can passes our rigorous testing requirements and continue to deliver the food safely to our customers.”
M&S;
As well as Heinz, WRAP has granted 38,400 in funding for Marks & Spencer to develop and test lighter ready-meal packaging with its supplier Northern Foods. This, it is hoped, could slash the waste generated by such packaging by 1,900 tonnes a year, if successful.
Other windfalls from the innovation fund went to Outpace Ltd to develop reusable “carrierpacks” for the home delivery of B&Q; kitchen worktops; Geest Mariner Foods for the light-weighting of Waitrose own-brand soups and sauces; biodegradable packaging specialists Biopac are looking at how to extend products' shelf life through new packaging; and, Kite Packaging is running a project aiming to cut waste from corrugated cardboard boxes.
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Sealing
Another, sizeable grant from the fund is being used to reduce wastage by developing new sealing technology for foods. International Food Partners Ltd and Ceetak Ltd could save over 22,000 tonnes annually across the grocery retail sector, WRAP believes, with the 183,000 project.
International Food Partners director Graham Clough said: “This will allow us to further develop the sealing technology, by running both laboratory and production trials with a number of suppliers of fresh produce and snacks. Should the trials prove successful, we anticipate products utilising this new sealing technology to be available for purchase during summer 2006.”
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