The Courtauld Commitment – which is a voluntary agreement between 32 signatories in the grocery sector and WRAP – has succeeded in keeping packaging at the same level as in 2006, despite what it called “unanticipated challenges” caused by a 1.8% growth in the grocery sector and population growth of 0.5% per year.
The findings, derived from an independent assessment of the last two years of the agreement, were unveiled yesterday (July 28) at a summit of top retailers and brands representing 92% of the UK grocery supermarkets.
WRAP, retailers and brands have made progress together and are coming up with increasingly innovative solutions, but we need to keep moving forward
Joan Ruddock
Speaking at the event, WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin said that the organisation was “delighted” with the achievement.
In January, WRAP had admitted that it had only been “cautiously optimistic” about reaching its targets (see letsrecycle.com story) but now claimed that the voluntary agreement had reached its goal for 2008 and was now well on track to reach its target of reducing packaging by 2010.
Ms Goodwin said: “WRAP is delighted that the grocery sector has responded positively to the challenge of tackling packaging and food waste. Their achievement in ending packaging growth is an impressive one, particularly against the backdrop of unexpectedly high grocery sales and population growth.
“WRAP, the retailers and brands are now looking at how to further reduce packaging and food waste in the future. The ideas we are discussing include reaching out to new areas of retail – which could potentially have a great impact on waste reduction,” she added.
Food
Minister for waste, Joan Ruddock, also praised the efforts of the sector – but called for more work to be done on reducing both packaging and food waste.
She said: “WRAP, retailers and brands have made progress together and are coming up with increasingly innovative solutions, but we need to keep moving forward. Food waste is one area where we can make a big difference.
“The Government will continue to support WRAP and welcomes plans to explore a move away from weight to CO2 as a better measure of the environmental cost of food waste and packaging,” she added.
Reduction
Among the companies mentioned in the Signatory Examples published by WRAP, ASDA was commended for achieving an own-label packaging reduction of 20% and reducing glass use by 2,871 tonnes compared to 2005, while Robinsons' investment of £5 million into reducing its packaging waste had led to a decrease of 1,670 tonnes a year in packaging waste.
The slimming of the iconic Coca-Cola bottle in December 2007 (see letsrecycle.com story) also saved 3,500 tonnes of glass and was one of many initiatives in the sector to be met with praise.
Two new signatories to the Courtauld Commitment- Procter & Gamble and Weetabix – attended the summit for the first time and will now look to help work towards the collective targets for 2010, which include increasing the number of grocery brands and manufacturers signed up, demonstrating visible change to consumers and delivering change throughout the supply chain.
Praise
Melanie Leech, director general of the Food and Drink Federation, welcomed the progress.
She said: “It's great news that the industry has met the Courtauld target to halt packaging growth, and that we are now on track to cut food and packaging waste by 2010.”
Jane Milne, director of business environment for the British Retail Consortium, added: “This demonstrates what can be achieved by voluntary measures, enabling retailers to find solutions that fit their business. The next big gain will be in securing the same change across the whole grocery supply chain.”
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