The Food & Drink Federation (FDF) made a bold commitment to the environment this week, with the launch of an ambitious five-fold plan.
The initiative, which will be undertaken by members on a collective basis, aims to achieve a 20 per cent absolute reduction in CO2 emissions by 2010, compared to 1990, and aspire to a 30 per cent reduction by 2020, as well as send zero food and packaging waste to landfill from 2015.
The scheme will see a significant contribution to WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) projects to cut the level of packaging reaching households by 2010, compared to 2005, and more advice given to consumers on how best to recycle or recover used packaging.
Moves to achieve fewer and environment-friendlier food transport miles will form part of the project, which aims to contribute to an absolute target for the food chain to reduce its environmental and social impacts by 20 per cent by 2012, compared to 2002.
An industry-wide target to reduce water use by 20 per cent by 2020, compared to 2007, has been incorporated into the initiative.
The five-point environmental plan is intended to lead the way to a greener food and drink manufacturing sector.
Fiona Dawson, chair of the FDF Sustainability and Competitiveness Steering Group and managing director of Mars Snackfood UK, said: “FDF, on behalf of its members, is today making a public commitment to make a significant, collective contribution to improving the environment by targeting those areas where we can make the biggest difference. This is a bold initiative, which builds on our existing achievements in reducing our environmental impact. It is an indication of the leadership which FDF and its members wish to show on this important agenda.”
The five-fold ambition has been welcomed by the UK Sustainable Development Commission, Environment Agency, Friends of the Earth, the Carbon Trust, WRAP and Envirowise.
Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, secretary of state for Defra, who was the keynote speaker at the launch, said: “I am pleased to see the real commitment of the Food & Drink Federation to push forward a programme aimed at improving the environmental sustainability of the food manufacturing industry.
“The example set by the federation will, I hope, encourage others to follow in their footprints - carbon or otherwise. I look forward to seeing the FDF hitting their targets and then setting new ones for further improvement.”
No comments yet