The update is a collaboration with The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP), a UK-based legal non-profit which tackles climate change through contract law.
The clause is designed to be a practical contractual tool which can be applied to encourage businesses to reduce food waste throughout supply chains.
Ben Metz, Executive Director at The Chancery Lane Project, said: “Contracts are one of the most powerful levers businesses have to drive change across supply chains.
“By building food waste reduction directly into contracts, companies can move from good intentions to measurable impact.
“The updated Runa’s Clause helps organisations work collaboratively to address the issue with suppliers to reduce waste, cut emissions and deliver on their sustainability commitments.”
The updated clause strengthens requirements for businesses to:
- Measure the tonnage of the food waste they generate
- Record reduction initiatives and their outcomes
- Report progress against food waste reduction targets
- Use recognised frameworks such as WRAP’s Food Waste Data Capture Sheet
- Aligns with best practice guidance for the reduction of food waste, including WRAP’s UK Food and Drink Pact and Food Waste Reduction Roadmap
WRAP said that it has encouraged its partners to incorporate the clause to reduce supply chain food waste and help deliver sustainability goals.
Caroline Conroy, Senior Specialist Food System Transformation at WRAP, said: “Last year, the average cost incurred by a company for every tonne of food waste it generated ranged between £1,638 and over £4,200, across various sectors.
“The updated Runa’s Clause will be welcome news for businesses, as it means they can reduce costly food waste at the contract stage and avoid these heavy, persistent losses.
“This is good news environmentally too, as reducing a tonne of food waste prevents nearly 4 tonnes of CO2e from being produced.
“WRAP is delighted to collaborate with The Chancery Lane Project to update Runa’s Clause.”
Register for free to comment