Operators to cut waste in food and packaging

The Hospitality and Food Service Agreement has been brokered by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) on behalf of governments in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It has set businesses the target of reducing the carbon impact of food and associated packaging waste by 5% by 2015—the equivalent of 100 million meals—and of increasing the rate of waste that is recycled or composted by 70%. As well as helping the environment, WRAP says the measures could help businesses save up to £76m by the end of 2015.

Companies can enlist as either signatories or supporters of the agreement, with the former reporting directly against the targets and the latter endorsing them. Inaugural signatories to the agreement include McDonald’s, Domino’s, Greggs, Greene King, the Spirit Pub Company and Young’s.

The agreement has also been signed by leading hotels and contract caterers, while supporters include trade groups like the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Hospitality Association and the Sustainable Restaurant Association.

Lord Taylor, Defra Minister for Environment, said: “This new agreement shows these household names are committed to stopping this terrible waste of food. By taking additional steps to reduce the amount of food waste these businesses and organisations will stop the equivalent of 100 million wasted meals going to the bin and save themselves money—a win-win for everyone.”

Liz Goodwin, CEO of WRAP, said: “Tackling food waste brings significant financial and environmental benefits.... I am therefore delighted that so many organisations have signed up already to the Hospitality and Food Service Agreement, and we continue to urge businesses, large and small, to sign up.”

BHA chief executive Ufi Ibrahim said the voluntary agreement was a welcome alternative to regulation. “The hospitality industry and its supply chains have already made significant progress in improving environmental performance, which includes waste prevention and improved recycling rates. We are pleased to be working collectively on this long-term journey towards saving 570,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over the life of the agreement.”

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “Reducing our impact on the environment is the right thing to do—but reducing waste also makes good business sense. While the brewing and pub industry has a good track record going back over 30 years, we can always do more. We are pleased to be part of the voluntary agreement and look forward to working with WRAP in helping the industry to make further progress towards the targets.”

For more about the new agreement and details of how to sign up, click here.