Drivers for Change
Around 30 million tonnes of household waste is generated in the UK every year, of which 5.9 million tonnes is packaging and 6.7 million tonnes is food waste. Reducing waste and using fewer natural resources is a powerful way of making a contribution towards reducing climate change and delivering a sustainable future.
Packaging optimisation – the benefits
Packaging plays an important role in protecting the product throughout the process of getting it from the supplier, through to the retail store, and to the customer’s home. It also informs the consumer and promotes brand value. There is always scope to optimise packaging through removing layers, reducing the amount of materials being used, introducing recycled content and moving to 'Best in Class' in terms of rightweighting. The benefits are compelling:
- Enhancing your carbon footprint;
- Responding to consumer demand for less packaging;
- Enhancing brand perception; and
- Achieving cost and resource efficiencies through:
- less raw materials being used
- less energy required in the manufacturing process
- transportation efficiencies
- use of more shelf space in store.
Meeting legislation
Packaging is affected directly by European and UK law and by waste regulations.
Actions to stem the growth of household waste are urgently needed to help the UK meet the requirements of the EU Landfill Directive and move towards more sustainable waste management. This Directive represents a step change in the way we dispose of waste in this country and sets demanding targets to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste that is landfilled. They are:
- By 2010 to reduce biodegradable municipal waste land filled to 75% of that produced in 1995
- By 2013 to reduce biodegradable municipal waste land filled to 50% of the produced in 1995
- By 2020 to reduce biodegradable municipal waste land filled to 35% of that produced in 1995.
The Directive has major ramifications for waste management in the UK, including financial penalties.
Reducing food waste
Food waste is a major contributor to the production of UK greenhouse gases and by improving or adapting packaging, and using technology to increase shelf-life, it is possible to reduce packaging and food waste significantly. Add to this accurate portioning methods to reflect the needs of different customers and finding better ways to communicate with consumers on food condition such as storage and disposal and recyclability of packaging - then less will end up in the household bin and ultimately to landfill.
WRAP launched a consumer facing Love Food Hate Waste campaign in November 2007 and is working across the UK Grocery sector to reduce food waste.
Consumer demand
In an Ipsos Mori 2007 survey, 62% of those questioned want retailers to reduce packaging and 67% want them to use more recyclable packaging.
Consumers are becoming more conscious about what can be recycled and the Recycle Now campaign works hard to raise awareness. Shoppers are driving change by demanding less waste in their bins and retailers are listening and responding. Understanding the consumer viewpoint and encouraging change are part of the process of optimising packaging and reducing household food waste successfully.
