Asda, Boots, Tesco and Sainsbury’s-some of the UK’s biggest retailers-have voluntarily agreed to reduce the carbon footprint of their grocery packaging by 10% by 2012, according toWaste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP). Cuts will be achieved through weight reduction, increased recycling rates and higher recycled content.

In addition to packaging targets, the Courtauld Commitment 2 also aims to reduce UK household food and drink wastes by 4% and grocery supply chain product and packaging waste by 5% by 2012, using 2009 as a baseline. So far, 29 major retailers and brand owners have agreed to help WRAP deliver the target reductions.

“One of the biggest challenges society faces over the next decade is reducing the environmental impact of the things we buy,” says Liz Goodwin, WRAP CEO. “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.”

The 28 founding signatories include Arla Foods, Danone Dairies, H.J. Heinz, Mars (UK), Nestlé and Unilever. Asda, the UK subsidiary of Walmart Stores, plans to introduce a packaging scorecard similar to Walmart this year.

Source:Environmental Leader

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