The grocery sector failed to meet its household food waste reduction of 4% between 2010 and 2012 under Phase 2 of the Courtauld Commitment, according to the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
Although a 270,000 tonnes reduction in household food waste was still made over the period, this represents a 3.7% reduction on the 2009 baseline figure, the findings show.
However, the final results of Phase 2 of the Commitment, which were released today (November 28) by WRAP, show that the grocery sector reduced food and packaging waste by 1.7m tonnes between 2010 and 2012.
According to WRAP, the 5% supply chain reduction target was exceeded, reaching a 7.4% reduction of 217,000 tonnes in 2012.
Furthermore, the packaging waste reduction target of 10% was also met, with a fall in grocery packaging weight of 10.7%, compared to a 2009 baseline.
Despite missing the household waste reduction target, though, WRAP claims that avoidable household waste was reduced by 5.3% saving consumers 700 million and local authorities 20 million in 2012, with carbon savings of 930,000 tonnes.
Targets
As many as 53 retailers, brands and manufacturers signed up to Phase 2 of the voluntary agreement, with 52 so far signed up to Phase 3 of the Commitment, which launched in May 2013 and set out agreed targets for waste reduction for 2013-15 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Chief executive of WRAP, Dr Liz Goodwin, said that Phase 2 had achieved impressive results, with financial savings of around 3.1 billion.
‘Everyone has a role to play in reducing waste and I want to see more businesses helping consumers to waste less food and save money. Theres still a long way to go and we will continue to work closely with food retailers and manufacturers to cut waste even further.’
Dan Rogerson MP, waste and resources minister
Additionally, when taking into account rising production and sales volumes and an increase in the number of households, WRAP claims relative reductions of 8.3% in supply chain waste, 14.8% in carbon impact of packaging and 6.1% in total household food waste were achieved through Phase 2.
Dr Goodwin said: The final outcome of phase 2 shows how collaborative working achieves results that have financial benefits to the UK and deliver significant reductions in environmental impact. We know there is still more we can do and Im delighted to see 50 leading retailers, brands and manufacturers signed up to the Courtauld Commitment 3 showing their continued commitment.
Welcoming the results, waste and recycling minister Dan Rogerson said the agreement had made great strides in reducing waste and he was delighted with the progress so far.
Mr Rogerson said: Everyone has a role to play in reducing waste and I want to see more businesses helping consumers to waste less food and save money. Theres still a long way to go and we will continue to work closely with food retailers and manufacturers to cut waste even further.
Food and Drink Federation
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) also welcomed the findings of the Courtauld Phase 2 Commitment, praising its major contribution to the industrys efforts to deliver sustainable group.
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Andrew Kuyk, director of sustainability at FDF said: 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 Commitments next phase.
The Courtauld Phase 3 agreement is funded by the UK, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments and is delivered by WRAP.
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