UK grocery sector ends packaging growth

The grocery sector has helped halt packaging growth despite a sharp increase in sales, the Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap) has revealed.

Hosting a summit of top retailers and brands, the not-for-profit organisation revealed that the Courtauld Commitment had played a key part of the success. Courtauld is a voluntary agreement between Wrap, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Scottish and Welsh government and the UK grocery sector to reduce household packaging and food waste.

Wrap revealed that signatories had achieved the 2008 objective and were on course to meet the 2010 targets on food and packaging waste with many retailers redesigning the way they package products.

Marks & Spencer was among the firms flagged up for setting good practice examples. The supermarket chain recently replaced the plastic tray used to package its beef joints with a “skin pack” – a type of plastic packaging that is wrapped tightly around the product.

The method cuts down the packaging weight by up to 69% but also keeps the meat fresher for up to four extra days, which means it is less likely to go to waste.

Wrap ceo, Liz Goodwin, said: “Wrap is delighted that the grocery sector has responded positively to the challenge of tackling packaging and food waste.

“Their achievement in ending packaging growth is an impressive one, particularly against the backdrop of unexpectedly high grocery sales and population growth.”