M&S, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s front food waste initiative

A number of UK retailers, food producers, manufacturers and hospitality and food service companies have committed to milestones laid out in a new Food Waste Reduction Roadmap, developed with IGD and WRAP to tackle the UK’s food waste problem.

There are 89 early adopters, including M&S, Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado, Musgrave, Lidl, Aldi and Waitrose. By September 2019, the first major milestone on the Roadmap, the aim is to have 50% of the UK’s largest 250 food businesses measuring, reporting and acting on food waste, with all 250 companies doing so by 2026.

Marcus Gover, CEO at WRAP, says: “Together, WRAP and IGD have mobilised industry leaders to create a bold sector-wide Roadmap, showing clearly what UK businesses must do. This Roadmap is hugely ambitious, and I’m delighted that the UK is the first country anywhere to set a nation-wide plan towards delivering its part in SDG 12.3.”

“There are many businesses working hard already, but many more need to focus on food waste. If the food sector follows this Roadmap it will significantly accelerate work to achieving both Courtauld 2025, and SDG12.3 targets. And I urge other companies to adopt the principles laid out in the Roadmap and join the rest of the sector on this historic journey.”

Joanne Denney-Finch, Chief Executive at IGD, comments: “The Food Waste Reduction Roadmap presents a huge opportunity for every business within the UK food and grocery industry to provide reassurance for shoppers. UK shoppers see industry food waste at the top of their priorities and by working together with the total food chain, we’re delighted to have secured a world first, with the UK leading the way in this important area. As a result, I’m confident we will see continued momentum on this high profile initiative.”

Gover will also launch The Food Waste Atlas in New York later today at the annual event of Champions 12.3, organised by the World Resources Institute (WRI). Atlas is pitched as the world’s first portal to allow the capture and reporting of global food loss and waste data in one place. Developed between WRAP and WRI, it allows companies and governments to publish and compare their data with others, including businesses supporting the UK Roadmap.