Retail Innovation Programme

The Retail Innovation Programme was established as a result of research undertaken by WRAP on behalf of the Strategy Unit, which found that as much as 50% of household waste, which ultimately ends up in landfill, has originated from a purchase from the top 5 retail supermarket chains. These supermarkets link massive supply chains with households' behaviour and are therefore well placed to influence change.

As such, we engage constructively with the leading retailers, brand owners and their supply chain to identify collaborative approaches towards reducing the amount of food and packaging waste that ends up in the household bin.

This work is supported by:

strategic engagement with retailers and brands, driving packaging reduction through the Courtauld Commitment;
stimulating packaging optimisation research through the Innovation Fund;
widely promoting the environmental and commercial benefits of packaging optimisation;
maintaining open dialogue with the UK grocery sector giving guidance on best practice;
exhibiting and/or presenting at key venues;
running free specialist conferences and 'learnshops';
providing a forum for all parties in the retail supply chain to come together and discuss key strategic issues that require a common approach; and
providing tools and resources such as The Guide to Evolving Packaging Design, Case studies, Technical and Research reports, Best in class database, the International Packaging Study and The Concept Room to stimulate change.

From 2007, work is also progressing with the DIY sector.

Household Food Waste

An estimated 6.7 million tonnes of household food waste is produced each year in the UK, about half of which could have been eaten. Most of this waste ends up in landfill. WRAP is committed to working with our stakeholders and partners to reduce consumer food waste by 100,000 tonnes by March 2008. Find out more ...