The 2023 waste2zero awards that recognise excellence in Waste Management and Prevention in the out of home food and drink sector, headline sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies, were presented at an exclusive dinner held at the famous In & Out in London’s St.James’s Square last night.
Waste remains endemic and one of the biggest global challenges today. In the out of home sector, arguably the two biggest areas of waste are food and packaging. Food is still wasted at every stage of the supply chain – much of it before it even reaches the table – whilst packaging – a necessary evil for the food industry in its current form – creates its own environmental issues with production and disposal.
The plastic is of course the recent and current bête noire, and the debate over single-use rages on. Evidence of our profligacy proliferates the oceans as much as the high street with the resulting microplastics unnervingly being shown to be entering the food chain.
Much best practice is in evidence; but an unacceptable waste culture also remains prevalent.
The objective of waste2zero – the first awards of its kind in the sector and now completing its seventh annual cycle – is to specifically give the out of home industry a platform to showcase best practice and recognise excellence in this vital area.
An elite panel of judges, experts in waste, packaging and sustainability, reviewed innovations and initiatives from organisations large and small in areas such as resource management, closed loop, recycling and food redistribution. Clear leadership is evident from some organisations in the sector who are demonstrating operational strategies that reduce waste impacts to the environment up and down supply chains.
The 2023 Winners and Highly Commended entries in their chosen categories are as follows.
Best Recycling or Upcycling Project Award
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies
Winner: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Highly Commended: Wagamama
Best Waste Prevention Project Award (non-food)
Sponsored by Nestlé Professional
Winner: Gather & Gather at BUPA
Highly Commended: Event Cup Solutions with Meiko UK
Best Food Waste Prevention Project Award
Sponsored by Novati
Winner: Eurest
Highly Commended: Winnow
Best Waste Project Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Award
Sponsored by Sodexo UK & Ireland
Winner: Wrap
Highly Commended: Zest Recycling
Food Redistribution Award
Sponsored by Reconomy
Winner: KFC UK&I
Highly Commended: Amadeus at NEC
Best Closed Loop Project Award
Sponsored by CIWM
Winner: Olleco with Arla Foods
Highly Commended: Grupo Avinea
Best Waste Reduction Technology Award
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies
Winner: Nestlé UK
Highly Commended: Cauli
Best Resource Management Business of the Year
Sponsored by Compass UK&I
Winner: Novati
Highly Commended: Restaurant Associates
The Special Achievement Award 2023
Sponsored by Bunzl Catering Supplies
Winner: Dave Gudgeon, Novati
