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The eagerly awaited targets that form the second phase of
the Courtauld Commitment[1] were
announced last week.
Using 2009 data and working to a 2012 deadline, Courtauld
Commitment 2 moves away from solely weight-based targets
and aims to achieve more sustainable use of resources over
the entire lifecycle of products, throughout the whole supply
chain.
The three new targets are -
- Packaging - to reduce the weight, increase
recycling rates and increase the recycled content of all
grocery packaging, as appropriate. Through these measures,
the aim is to reduce the carbon impact of this grocery packaging
by 10%.
- Household food and waste - to reduce
UK household food and drink wastes by 4%.
- Supply chain product and packaging waste -
to reduce traditional grocery product and packaging waste
in the grocery supply chain by 5% - this includes both solid
and liquid wastes.
Twenty-nine major retailers and brand owners have already
signed up to Courtauld Commitment 2 to help WRAP deliver the
targets (see list of signatories below).
The announcement of the new targets follows the original
Courtauld Commitment which was launched in 2005. Courtauld
has succeeded in stopping growth in packaging despite increases
in both sales and population in the UK. Some 500,000 tonnes
less packaging was used over the period 2005-2009 - enough
waste to fill a queue of refuse trucks, bumper-to-bumper,
stretching from Southampton to Newcastle.
Liz Goodwin, WRAP CEO, said - “One of the biggest challenges
society faces over the next decade is reducing the environmental
impact of the things we buy. This new agreement will bring
about changes - ranging from more efficient methods of production,
right through to the impact of household consumption.
"It’s no longer enough to look at the impact of packaging
alone - that’s why Courtauld Commitment 2 takes into account
the environmental impact of product waste in the supply chain
as well as at household level.
"We’re thrilled that so many signatories - old and new -
have already committed to this new agreement and we hope that
many more will soon follow their example."
Hilary Benn, UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs, ADDED - "A fifth of household waste is
packaging and more than half of this comes from the groceries
we buy. This packaging can be essential, but, in many cases,
using less and smarter packaging can achieve the same result.
"Grocery manufacturers and retailers have already started
to take action and halted the increase in packaging. The
new Commitment sees them go further than ever in reducing
food waste and packaging and making it smarter - and I want
to see members of the industry continuing to sign-up over
the coming months."
The 29 signatories include -
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AG Barr |
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Molson Coors |
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Apetito |
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Morrisons |
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Arla Foods |
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Muller Dairies |
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Asda |
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Musgraves |
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Boots UK Ltd |
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Nestlé |
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Britvic |
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Northern Foods |
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Constellation Europe |
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Robert Wisemans |
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Cooperative Retail |
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Sainsbury’s |
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Dairy Crest |
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Tesco |
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Danone Dairies |
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Unilever |
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Danone Water |
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Vimto |
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Fosters EMEA |
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Waitrose |
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HJ Heinz |
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Warburtons |
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Innocent Soft Drinks |
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Weetabix |
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Mars (UK) |
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[1] The voluntary agreement between WRAP
(Waste & Resources Action Programme) and major grocery
retailers and brand owners.
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