Major Retailers join WRAP in Pledging to Tackle Packaging and Food Waste
Source: WRAP - 26/07/05
Thirteen top grocery retailers have shown their commitment to waste minimisation in a pioneering new initiative to reduce the amount of packaging and food waste thrown away by the British public.
Asda, Boots, Budgens, the Co-operative Group, Londis, Iceland, Kwik Save, Marks & Spencer, Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose have all joined forces with WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) by pledging their commitment at executive level to supporting WRAP in achieving its objectives:
- to design out packaging waste growth by 2008
- to deliver absolute reductions in packaging waste by March 2010
- to identify ways to tackle the problem of food waste
Known as the Courtauld Commitment, this agreement took shape at a Ministerial retail meeting, held at the Courtauld Gallery earlier this year, where Environment Minister Elliot Morley and Jennie Price, Chief Executive of WRAP, met with senior representatives from the majority of the top retailers, as well as the British Retail Consortium.
The meeting, initiated through WRAP's Retailer Programme, focused on engaging support to find new packaging solutions so that less rubbish ends up in the household bin. Ideas ranged from reducing layers of packaging to light-weighting some packaging materials and initiating research into why consumers throw away an average £400-worth of food every year.
Explaining the importance of the retailers' involvement, WRAP's Chief Executive, Jennie Price, said:
"Reducing the amount of rubbish we throw away will make a big difference to the environment, and is something consumers really care about. I am very pleased that the major supermarkets are showing such strong leadership on this issue. This is a highly energetic and innovative sector and I am confident that, by working in partnership with them, WRAP will be able to deliver genuinely significant reductions in packaging and food waste."
Elliot Morley, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, added:
"Our food and drink industry is a major employer and a major part of our economy, but it is also a major source of waste - accounting for about ten per cent of all industrial and commercial waste, notably packaging.
"I am encouraged by the response of the major retailers who are taking up the challenge to shrink the amount of packaging and food waste produced both by the industry and by consumers.
"Much of the waste we generate in the home starts as food and packaging we buy in the supermarkets so the industry, from retailers all the way up the supply chain, is in a prime position to influence consumer behaviour. They are already making significant environmental improvements which are good for business, and this commitment is a positive step down the road to tackling the waste problem."
Each retailer will now be developing its own programme of work with WRAP, and several of them are already undertaking research or demonstration projects on packaging reduction funded through an £8m WRAP fund which is dedicated to stimulating innovation in this sector. Initial research on the issue of food waste has already started and is being conducted by IGD, the food and grocery think-tank, in partnership with WRAP. The research will conclude in early Autumn and will recommend the most promising opportunities for waste minimisation.
All those signed up to the Courtauld Commitment have agreed to meet with Elliot Morley again in a year's time to discuss the progress.
Editor's notes:
Courtauld Launch Retailer Quotes
ASDA:
"ASDA is always looking for new ideas which benefit our customers and the environment. Working with WRAP on the Courtauld Commitment objectives is part of this strategy. In the short term ASDA intends to look at new sealing technology which can help reduce packaging weight and food waste, and look at ways of introducing innovation into ready meal packaging. In the medium term our aim is to integrate innovative packaging design into everything we do thereby reducing resource use and waste."
Ian Bowles, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, ASDA
Boots Group plc:
"Boots is happy to support the Courtauld Commitment and will be working with WRAP and others to build sustainability into mainstream consumer product design and development, encouraging innovation in product design based on sustainable development principles and to find ways to help consumers adopt more sustainable behaviours."
Paul Bateman, HR and Operations Director, Boots Group plc
The Co-operative Group:
"As part of the Co-op Shopping with Attitude report last year, we committed to introducing more environmentally-sound packaging across our range, and working with WRAP on the Courtauld Commitment objectives complements this approach. We are working with all our product categories to see what reductions could be introduced to bring environmental savings and, together with WRAP, working to build awareness of the business benefits this approach brings."
Becky Toal, Environmental Programme Manager, the Co-operative Group
Iceland:
"We are continually trying to improve what we offer to our customers. Minimising packaging is one of the goals we strive to achieve. As part of the Courtauld Commitment we will be looking at our high volume lines focusing on innovative solutions. Working with WRAP will help us achieve this goal for Iceland and across the sector."
Peter Lee, Head of Technical Services, Iceland
Kwik Save: Refer to Somerfield
Marks & Spencer:
"Marks & Spencer supports the aims of the Courtauld Commitment. We are committed to working in partnership with WRAP to help us implement our Responsible Packaging Strategy which addresses a wide range of environmental and social issues identified by our customers."
David Gregory, Head of Technology, Marks & Spencer
Wm Morrison:
"Morrison's is delighted to be a signatory to the Courtauld Commitment and we are already working with WRAP to develop a number of waste minimisation and innovation projects."
Gillian Hall, Public Relations Director, Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC
Musgrave Budgens Londis:
"We are delighted to join others in the retail sector in making the commitment to work with WRAP to reduce household waste. We are currently reviewing all our own brand packaging. We want to build minimisation into our everyday working practices so that packaging and food waste are at the forefront of our minds when these decisions are being made."
Mike Taylor, Managing Director, Musgrave Budgens Londis
Sainsbury's:
"Sainsbury's is happy to support the Courtauld Commitment. We believe the Courtauld Commitment will support our existing publicly stated targets to reduce the amount of packaging we produce relative to sales; and our existing work on waste minimization, materials substitution and reducing food waste."
Judith Batchelar, Director of Brands, Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Somerfield:
"Somerfield is delighted to support WRAP in delivering their key objectives for improved waste management. As a responsible retailer with a community focus we take our environmental obligations seriously. Somerfield has made significant progress in its environmental performance and we are confident that the partnership with WRAP will help us to exceed expectations."
Steve Back, Group Chief Executive, Somerfield Group
Tesco:
"Tesco is committed to helping WRAP achieve its Courtauld Commitment. We are investigating new technologies that provide an alternative to landfill and new ways to help our customers reduce their household waste. All of us, from manufacturers to consumers, need to work together if we are to reduce waste, promote reuse and encourage recycling."
David North, Government Affairs Director, Tesco
Waitrose:
"Reducing packaging is important to our customers, to the business and to the environment. We are delighted to support WRAP on achieving its targets and sign the Courtauld Commitment. We are already working with WRAP on a number of packaging waste minimisation projects particularly on convenience food, a rapidly growing area within our business. We are looking forward to expanding this relationship in line with the objectives of the Commitment."
Nick Monger-Godfrey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Waitrose
British Retail Consortium:
"Reducing the amount of waste produced by householders is an important national priority. I am delighted that retailers will be working in partnership with WRAP to reduce packaging and see how food waste may be tackled. I am sure this partnership will stimulate innovation in packaging and deliver real benefits to consumers and our environment."
Dr Kevin Hawkins OBE, Director General, British Retail Consortium
WRAP notes
1. WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) is a major UK programme established to promote resource efficiency. Its particular focus is on creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products and removing the barriers to waste minimisation, re-use and recycling.
2. A not-for-profit company in the private sector, WRAP is backed by substantial Government funding from Defra and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
3. WRAP is currently running fifteen programmes. Twelve are focused on market development, and comprise nine material streams (Paper, Plastics, Glass, Wood, Organics, Aggregates, Tyres, Plasterboard and Batteries) and three generic areas (Business & Finance, Procurement, and Regional Market Development). Three new programmes relate to the wider resource efficiency remit - Collections, Communications and Awareness, and Waste Minimisation.
4. As well its programme on Waste Minimisation, of which the Courtauld Commitment is a key part, it delivers a major communications programme on recycling, including the Recycle Now campaign under the strapline ‘the possibilities are endless' and an annual campaign known as the Big Recycle. It also works with industry to develop innovative new products from recycled materials, and helps local authorities to design efficient kerbside recycling systems.
5. More information on all WRAP's programmes can be found at http://www.wrap.org.uk
Sarah Dunn, Media Relations Officer
WRAP
The Old Academy
21 Horse Fair
Banbury
Oxon
OX16 0AH
Tel: 01295 819695
Email: sarah.dunn@wrap.org.uk
Pat Jennings, Media Relations Manager
WRAP
The Old Academy
21 Horse Fair
Banbury
Oxon
OX16 0AH
Tel: Tel: 01295 819928 Mob: 07950 923260
Email: pat.jennings@wrap.org.uk
Source: WRAP - 26/07/05
Thirteen top grocery retailers have shown their commitment to waste minimisation in a pioneering new initiative to reduce the amount of packaging and food waste thrown away by the British public.
Asda, Boots, Budgens, the Co-operative Group, Londis, Iceland, Kwik Save, Marks & Spencer, Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose have all joined forces with WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) by pledging their commitment at executive level to supporting WRAP in achieving its objectives:
- to design out packaging waste growth by 2008
- to deliver absolute reductions in packaging waste by March 2010
- to identify ways to tackle the problem of food waste
Known as the Courtauld Commitment, this agreement took shape at a Ministerial retail meeting, held at the Courtauld Gallery earlier this year, where Environment Minister Elliot Morley and Jennie Price, Chief Executive of WRAP, met with senior representatives from the majority of the top retailers, as well as the British Retail Consortium.
The meeting, initiated through WRAP's Retailer Programme, focused on engaging support to find new packaging solutions so that less rubbish ends up in the household bin. Ideas ranged from reducing layers of packaging to light-weighting some packaging materials and initiating research into why consumers throw away an average £400-worth of food every year.
Explaining the importance of the retailers' involvement, WRAP's Chief Executive, Jennie Price, said:
"Reducing the amount of rubbish we throw away will make a big difference to the environment, and is something consumers really care about. I am very pleased that the major supermarkets are showing such strong leadership on this issue. This is a highly energetic and innovative sector and I am confident that, by working in partnership with them, WRAP will be able to deliver genuinely significant reductions in packaging and food waste."
Elliot Morley, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, added:
"Our food and drink industry is a major employer and a major part of our economy, but it is also a major source of waste - accounting for about ten per cent of all industrial and commercial waste, notably packaging.
"I am encouraged by the response of the major retailers who are taking up the challenge to shrink the amount of packaging and food waste produced both by the industry and by consumers.
"Much of the waste we generate in the home starts as food and packaging we buy in the supermarkets so the industry, from retailers all the way up the supply chain, is in a prime position to influence consumer behaviour. They are already making significant environmental improvements which are good for business, and this commitment is a positive step down the road to tackling the waste problem."
Each retailer will now be developing its own programme of work with WRAP, and several of them are already undertaking research or demonstration projects on packaging reduction funded through an £8m WRAP fund which is dedicated to stimulating innovation in this sector. Initial research on the issue of food waste has already started and is being conducted by IGD, the food and grocery think-tank, in partnership with WRAP. The research will conclude in early Autumn and will recommend the most promising opportunities for waste minimisation.
All those signed up to the Courtauld Commitment have agreed to meet with Elliot Morley again in a year's time to discuss the progress.
Editor's notes:
Courtauld Launch Retailer Quotes
ASDA:
"ASDA is always looking for new ideas which benefit our customers and the environment. Working with WRAP on the Courtauld Commitment objectives is part of this strategy. In the short term ASDA intends to look at new sealing technology which can help reduce packaging weight and food waste, and look at ways of introducing innovation into ready meal packaging. In the medium term our aim is to integrate innovative packaging design into everything we do thereby reducing resource use and waste."
Ian Bowles, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, ASDA
Boots Group plc:
"Boots is happy to support the Courtauld Commitment and will be working with WRAP and others to build sustainability into mainstream consumer product design and development, encouraging innovation in product design based on sustainable development principles and to find ways to help consumers adopt more sustainable behaviours."
Paul Bateman, HR and Operations Director, Boots Group plc
The Co-operative Group:
"As part of the Co-op Shopping with Attitude report last year, we committed to introducing more environmentally-sound packaging across our range, and working with WRAP on the Courtauld Commitment objectives complements this approach. We are working with all our product categories to see what reductions could be introduced to bring environmental savings and, together with WRAP, working to build awareness of the business benefits this approach brings."
Becky Toal, Environmental Programme Manager, the Co-operative Group
Iceland:
"We are continually trying to improve what we offer to our customers. Minimising packaging is one of the goals we strive to achieve. As part of the Courtauld Commitment we will be looking at our high volume lines focusing on innovative solutions. Working with WRAP will help us achieve this goal for Iceland and across the sector."
Peter Lee, Head of Technical Services, Iceland
Kwik Save: Refer to Somerfield
Marks & Spencer:
"Marks & Spencer supports the aims of the Courtauld Commitment. We are committed to working in partnership with WRAP to help us implement our Responsible Packaging Strategy which addresses a wide range of environmental and social issues identified by our customers."
David Gregory, Head of Technology, Marks & Spencer
Wm Morrison:
"Morrison's is delighted to be a signatory to the Courtauld Commitment and we are already working with WRAP to develop a number of waste minimisation and innovation projects."
Gillian Hall, Public Relations Director, Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC
Musgrave Budgens Londis:
"We are delighted to join others in the retail sector in making the commitment to work with WRAP to reduce household waste. We are currently reviewing all our own brand packaging. We want to build minimisation into our everyday working practices so that packaging and food waste are at the forefront of our minds when these decisions are being made."
Mike Taylor, Managing Director, Musgrave Budgens Londis
Sainsbury's:
"Sainsbury's is happy to support the Courtauld Commitment. We believe the Courtauld Commitment will support our existing publicly stated targets to reduce the amount of packaging we produce relative to sales; and our existing work on waste minimization, materials substitution and reducing food waste."
Judith Batchelar, Director of Brands, Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Somerfield:
"Somerfield is delighted to support WRAP in delivering their key objectives for improved waste management. As a responsible retailer with a community focus we take our environmental obligations seriously. Somerfield has made significant progress in its environmental performance and we are confident that the partnership with WRAP will help us to exceed expectations."
Steve Back, Group Chief Executive, Somerfield Group
Tesco:
"Tesco is committed to helping WRAP achieve its Courtauld Commitment. We are investigating new technologies that provide an alternative to landfill and new ways to help our customers reduce their household waste. All of us, from manufacturers to consumers, need to work together if we are to reduce waste, promote reuse and encourage recycling."
David North, Government Affairs Director, Tesco
Waitrose:
"Reducing packaging is important to our customers, to the business and to the environment. We are delighted to support WRAP on achieving its targets and sign the Courtauld Commitment. We are already working with WRAP on a number of packaging waste minimisation projects particularly on convenience food, a rapidly growing area within our business. We are looking forward to expanding this relationship in line with the objectives of the Commitment."
Nick Monger-Godfrey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Waitrose
British Retail Consortium:
"Reducing the amount of waste produced by householders is an important national priority. I am delighted that retailers will be working in partnership with WRAP to reduce packaging and see how food waste may be tackled. I am sure this partnership will stimulate innovation in packaging and deliver real benefits to consumers and our environment."
Dr Kevin Hawkins OBE, Director General, British Retail Consortium
WRAP notes
1. WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) is a major UK programme established to promote resource efficiency. Its particular focus is on creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products and removing the barriers to waste minimisation, re-use and recycling.
2. A not-for-profit company in the private sector, WRAP is backed by substantial Government funding from Defra and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
3. WRAP is currently running fifteen programmes. Twelve are focused on market development, and comprise nine material streams (Paper, Plastics, Glass, Wood, Organics, Aggregates, Tyres, Plasterboard and Batteries) and three generic areas (Business & Finance, Procurement, and Regional Market Development). Three new programmes relate to the wider resource efficiency remit - Collections, Communications and Awareness, and Waste Minimisation.
4. As well its programme on Waste Minimisation, of which the Courtauld Commitment is a key part, it delivers a major communications programme on recycling, including the Recycle Now campaign under the strapline ‘the possibilities are endless' and an annual campaign known as the Big Recycle. It also works with industry to develop innovative new products from recycled materials, and helps local authorities to design efficient kerbside recycling systems.
5. More information on all WRAP's programmes can be found at http://www.wrap.org.uk
Sarah Dunn, Media Relations Officer
WRAP
The Old Academy
21 Horse Fair
Banbury
Oxon
OX16 0AH
Tel: 01295 819695
Email: sarah.dunn@wrap.org.uk
Pat Jennings, Media Relations Manager
WRAP
The Old Academy
21 Horse Fair
Banbury
Oxon
OX16 0AH
Tel: Tel: 01295 819928 Mob: 07950 923260
Email: pat.jennings@wrap.org.uk
