Food for thought

Last month we were very proud to launch the Hospitality and Food Service Agreement a sector-wide UK voluntary agreement, backed by major players from across the industry. At the time of launch 73 organisations had signed up to the agreement, including McDonalds, Greggs, Unilever and Compass, with six more signing since, a huge show of commitment from the industry.

Im delighted to see such enthusiasm and dedication to tackling waste from the sector at such an early stage, because this agreement can make a real difference. If the signatories are successful in reaching the first target of cutting food and associated packaging waste by 5%, thats the equivalent of approximately 100 million meals.

The agreement also aims to increase the overall rate of food and packaging waste that is being recycled, sent to anaerobic digestion (AD) or composted to 70% – achieving a carbon dioxide equivalent reduction of 336,000 tonnes. Delivery of these targets will save businesses across the UK an estimated 76 million by the end of 2015.

The launch of the Hospitality and Food Service Agreement follows a piece of research, published by WRAP last summer, which revealed that the food service sector could make significant financial savings and benefit the environment. This presented a huge opportunity and challenge for the industry, and were using the agreement as a platform from which to address these issues.

Our experience in using voluntary agreements to drive industry-wide collaboration and change suggests that this approach can be of benefit. The Courtauld Commitment, for example, halted growth in packaging and reduced food waste, and the latest Federation House Commitment progress report once again showed food and drink manufacturers have driven down water use despite increasing production.

Collaboration

Many companies across the food service sector are already taking steps to tackle waste, and we recognise that. So I am pleased that this agreement will bring those companies together with others in a collaboration which will help to accelerate change. All UK hospitality and food service companies can sign up from a multinational to an SME. Theyre all vital links in the chain, and it is only with collective ambition that we will drive the agreement forward.

Organisations signing up to the agreement join either as signatories or supporters, with signatories reporting directly against the two targets. Of the 79 organisations currently signed up to the agreement, 29 are signatories and 50 are supporters. We will be providing businesses with support towards delivering the targets through online tools, workshops, working groups and expert advice.

The agreement will be overseen by a Steering Group, which will include both signatories and supporters. The group will feed in to the agreements strategy, as well as reviewing progress on delivery against the targets and sharing good practice. Setting up this group is the next step in the journey. Well also be setting up working groups to focus on particular issues, such as waste management and the tourism sector, and well begin setting a baseline on which the whole agreement can be built.

Theres a huge amount of work to be done which is why were so pleased to have such significant support from the industry already. If you want to get involved, do come and talk to us. You can also find more information at www.wrap.org.uk/hospitality.