Zero waste to landfill

Sending food and packaging waste to landfill not only wastes the resources used in theirproduction, but also adds to total greenhouse gas emissions through decomposition. Even though most food waste is generated by households rather than manufacturers, FDF members recognise the need to lead by example in their own operations.

FDF members continue to work withleading UK foodbanks and charities to redistribute food which cannot be sold through normal commercial channels.

Latest results published by WRAP for the second year of the Courtauld Commitment Phase 2 show that food and drink manufacturers along with other signatories have delivered a decrease of 8.8% in supply chain product and packaging waste over the first two years of the Commitment compared to 2009, well in excess of the three year target of 5%. The largest contributor to this reduction appears to be the amount of waste sent for final disposal.

Zero waste to landfillThroughout the year we have worked with WRAP to help shape the support offered on reducing supply chain waste for FDF members signed up to Courtauld, including a further round of waste prevention reviews, at both company level and across supply chains. To date, 21 FDF members are signed up to Phase 2 of the Courtauld Commitment which is due to end in December 2012.

FDF will continue to work with WRAP, not only to complete delivery of the remaining Courtauld 2 targets, but to help frame a successor agreement due for launch in 2013.

FDF has also accepted an invitation to become a founding supporter to the WRAP Hospitality and Foodservice Agreement launched in June which aims to reduce food and packaging waste in those sectors.

Several members continue to work with leading UK foodbank and charity groups to redistribute surplus food and drink where it cannot be sold through normal commercial channels and therefore preventing it from becoming waste. The economic situation in the UK combined with global pressures on future food suppliers have added a new social dimension to companies donating food.

FDF participated in a Ministerial roundtable discussion in July 2012 on barriers to food redistribution. We have since accepted an invitation to join a Food Redistribution Industry Working Group set up by WRAP to develop actions which will increase the uptake of food redistribution throughout the grocery supply chain.

FDF members continue to work with leading UK foodbanks and charities to redistribute food which cannot be sold through normal commercial channels.

Case studies: Zero waste to landfill

Coca Cola

London 2012 recycling systemThe London 2012 Games recycling system aimed to recycle all plastic bottles witin 6 weeks.

Through Coca-Cola's participation in the London 2012 Olympics an efficient recycling system was developed within all Olympic venues.

One of the aims was to reprocess all recycled plastic bottles from the Games into new bottles within six weeks; a total of 10.5 million bottles were recycled and returned to GB shelves as part of 42 million new bottles.

In addition Coca-Cola and LOCOG developed The London 2012 Zero Waste Events Protocol, a guide to best practice for managing waste, establishing a Zero Waste network - a community of over 300 practitioners - to share learning and inspire others.

MARS

Waste being diverted from landfill91% of waste is currently already being diverted from landfill.

Three of Mars' manufacturing sites achieved zero waste to landfill in 2011 - bringing the total to six sites across the UK. Mars Food is on course to stop sending waste to landfill by the end of 2012 with currently 91% of waste already being diverted.

All sites continue to work on additional ways to reduce the waste generated and to recycle and reuse as much as possible.

View more zero waste to landfill case studies.

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Last reviewed: 06 Dec 2012