Reducing the negative impacts of packaging
Packaging plays an essential role in the safety, quality and shelf-life of food and in conveying important information to consumers about issues such as use, storage, nutrition, ingredients
and origin. In terms of environmental impacts, it contributes relatively little to the total product footprint. But it is a very visible use of resources and one which needs to be kept under constant
review to ensure an optimal balance between function and impact.
“The Five-fold Environmental Ambition continues to play a significant role in
promoting waste prevention strategies for the food and drink industry, which is
why WRAP is delighted to continue to support the FDF's initiative."
"FDF members have been instrumental in helping to shape both the Courtauld
Commitment and Federation House Commitment (FHC), both of which are closely
aligned
to the Five-fold Environmental Ambition. Now in its second phase, resource
efficiency is a major consideration for Courtauld signatories to factor into
business
objectives and we are delighted with the contribution that FDF members are
making. The FHC also continues to go from strength to strength with the food
and
drink industry making good steps towards achieving the ambitious target of a
20%
water saving by 2020.”
Dr Liz Goodwin, CEO, WRAP
Our Commitment
To make a significant contribution to WRAP's Courtauld 2 target of reducing the
carbon impact of packaging by 10% by 2012 against a 2009 baseline.
To explore ways of developing a campaign of engagement with consumers to help
them better understand the role of packaging and reduce its impact.
Progress Made
Regarding the Courtauld 2 packaging target, WRAP's First Year Progress Report
for the period 2009 (baseline) to 2010 shows that across all signatories there
has
been a 5.1% absolute
reduction in the carbon impact of primary and single use transit packaging
(295,000 tonnes CO2 equivalent).
The progress shown by FDF member company signatories providing data for this
period equates to an absolute reduction of 1.2% in carbon impact (22,600 tonnes
CO2
equivalent).
On a weight basis the WRAP results show that there has been an overall reduction
of 6.9% (226,000 tonnes) in the weight of packaging; in comparison, the
packaging of FDF signatories
reduced by 2.7% (24,380 tonnes).
These achievements have been made despite estimated increases in sales volumes
of around 2% over the period, decreases in UK recycling rates and increases in
emission
factors associated with transportation.
As one means towards increasing the quantity and quality of household packaging
collected for recycling, a number of FDF members are continuing to support the
'On-Pack Recycling
Label Scheme' run by the British Retail Consortium. To date 21 FDF members have
signed up to the scheme.
Our work on developing a campaign of engagement with consumers has been taken
forward in discussions within the multi stakeholder Packaging Resources Action
Group (PRAG), and with
the chair of the Government's Advisory Committee on Packaging.
We are looking in particular at ways of increasing levels of recovery and
recycling, as well as helping consumers understand the essential role packaging
performs. As a spin off from these
discussions, a core group of PRAG members including FDF and the ACP chair, have
formed a steering group with WRAP to agree key messages on the role packaging
can play in preventing food waste. Where appropriate, these messages will be
used
within
WRAP's 'Love Food Hate Waste' initiative.
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Last reviewed: 06 Dec 2011