Leading hospitality and foodservice companies sign up to waste agreement

The sector wide UK voluntary agreement is launched today by WRAP, on behalf of UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland governments. The agreement aims to cut food and associated packaging waste by 5% (a CO2e reduction of 234,000 tonnes), the equivalent of approximately 100 million meals. It also aims to increase the overall rate of food and packaging waste that is being recycled, sent to AD or composted to 70% (a CO2e reduction of 336,000 tonnes). The voluntary agreement has grouped business signatories into 'Large businesses', 'Smaller businesses'. In general a business signatory is an organisation who produces and serves their customer a meal/snack. A supporter is an organisation who works within the sector but is not delivering that meal/snack directly to a customer. For example a business which has catering which is contracted out, packaging manufacturers, food and drink manufacturers, and trade associations. The agreement will be overseen by a Steering Group, which will include signatories and supporters. The group will have responsibility for providing input to voluntary agreement strategy, reviewing progress on delivery against the targets, and sharing good practice. Dr Liz Goodwin, CEO, WRAP, said: "Tackling food waste brings significant financial and environmental benefits, as already demonstrated through our work on household food waste and within the Courtauld Commitment. 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." Brigid Simmonds, chief executive British Beer & Pub Association, 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." Mark Linehan, managing director of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, added: "This agreement is a great step forward in the battle to reduce food waste in the hospitality sector – a sector that is beginning to meet this considerable challenge. We would urge all operators to embrace this opportunity to reduce their environmental impact, save money and respond to public demand. The SRA particularly welcomes the emphasis on waste prevention. Producing less waste saves operators money and time spent managing the waste." Signatories: 3663 Adnams & Co BaxterStorey BDL Management Ltd Brakes Group Café Spice Namasté Ltd Castell Howell Foods Ltd. Compass Group UK & Ireland Crieff Hydro Ltd Domino's Pizza UK & Ireland Ltd Fairmont St Andrews Greene King Brewing & Retailing Ltd Greggs plc Houses of Parliament Jurys Inns UK Ltd Lexington Catering Ltd McDonald's Restaurants Ltd QHotels Red Carnation Hotels Reynolds Sodexo SA Brain & Company Ltd Spirit Pub Company St Austell Brewery Co Ltd The Gleneagles Hotel The Town House Collection The Zetter Group Young & Co's Brewery plc