Courtauld Commitment 1

Since the Courtauld Commitment launch in 2005, over 40 major retailers, brand owners, manufacturers and suppliers have signed up to the voluntary agreement and continue to work with WRAP to develop solutions across the whole supply chain to reduce both household packaging and food waste. We will be reporting on Phase 1 in the summer of 2010.

Phase 2 launched on 4th March 2010.

To find out how signatories have already made a difference to the environment and are meeting customers expectations for less waste - read the case studies. Phase 1 CC Case Studies, 03 Mar 10 final (1728 kb)

Agreement background

Phase 1 is looking at new solutions and technologies so that less food, products and packaging ends up as household waste. It took shape at a Ministerial summit in 2005, where the then Environment Minister and the Chief Executive of WRAP met with senior representatives from the majority of the leading UK grocery retailers, as well as the British Retail Consortium.

The Commitment is a powerful vehicle for change and has already resulted in real reductions in packaging and food waste and realised significant commercial savings. Over 40 major retailers, brand owners, manufacturers and suppliers have signed the agreement since its launch in July 2005. The retailers represent 92% of the UK’s grocery supermarkets.

The signatories are working closely with WRAP to develop solutions across the whole supply chain, including innovative packaging formats, reducing the weight of packaging (e.g. bottles, cans and boxes), increasing the amount of recycled content in packaging, designing for recyclability, increasing the use of concentrates, refill and self-dispensing systems and collaborating on packaging design guidance. They are also working on solutions for reducing food waste through innovative packaging, in-store guidance, and the Love Food Hate Waste consumer campaign.

Benefits of the Courtauld Commitment: