Waste agreements merged into new Courtauld 2025 scheme

Wrap has unveiled a voluntary agreement that will “transform” the UK food and drink industry.

Courtauld 2025 will replace both the Hospitality and Foodservice Agreement (HaFSA) on waste and the Courtauld Commitment followed by retailers and manufacturers since 2005.

The plan is to cut the resource intensity of the industry by a fifth within 10 years, targeting greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water.

Indeed, early signatories have committed to work towards three targets:

  1. A 20% reduction in food and drink waste arising in the UK;
  2. A 20% reduction in greenhouse gas intensity of food and drink consumed in the UK; and
  3. A reduction in impact associated with water use in the supply chain.

Eight companies represent the foodservice sector, so far: apetito, Bidvest, Compass, Greene King Retail, KFC, OCS, Pizza Hut, Sodexo UK & Ireland. The British Hospitality Association and the Institute of Hospitality are also among the first signatories.

All the main supermarkets and discounters have signed up, as well as 23 local authorities.

Wrap has calculated that savings of £20 billion are up for grabs if the targets can be met.