New Funding To Tackle UK’s Six Million Tonnes Of Food Waste
11 December 2006
Essential funding is being made available by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) to help reduce the six million tonnes of household food that is thrown away by UK consumers each year.
WRAP is calling for new applications to its £8 million Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund – a programme to reduce food and packaging waste originating from the retail sector.
With the average consumer throwing away £424 worth of food every year*, WRAP is inviting all parts of the food supply chain to submit forward-thinking proposals to reduce this waste.
Money will be available to support research and development projects that have significant potential to reduce household food waste, focused in three broad areas: innovation within food and the food supply chain (such as new methods of harvesting, formulation and processing); innovation in packaging design and technology (such as improved reclosability and “freshness” indicators) and innovative in-home solutions (such preservation of shelf-life for loose /unpacked food and efficient food purchasing and use).
WRAP is particularly keen to hear from project teams working in areas related to fresh meat and fish, chilled meat and fish products, fresh and chilled fruit and vegetables, chilled ready meals, dairy products and bread and other bakery products. Applications are welcome from organisations across the supply chain, including producers, retailers, designers, brand owners and research institutes.
WRAP project manager, Andrew Parry, said: “Consumers throw away around six million tonnes of food every year – that’s the equivalent of around £420 worth of food wasted per person each year. As well as being a financial and resource drain, food waste in landfill makes a significant contribution to greenhouse gas production.
“Innovative thinking across the supply chain can help to maintain food freshness for longer, help customers to buy only as much as they need and let them know if their food is still fresh. We are looking for proposals that will advance the sector’s knowledge, while delivering significant reductions in food waste.”
Launched in November 2004, the Innovation Fund has already awarded over £5 million, and has approved over 30 projects, with the combined potential to save over half a million tonnes of resources.
Successful applicants for previous rounds of funding have included Coca-Cola, Argos, Asda, Tesco, Heinz, Coors, Co-op, B&Q, Marks & Spencer, Northern Foods and Iceland.
Submissions must be received by March 21st 2007, with projects anticipated to begin on or before June 1st 2007. More information and downloadable tender documents are available at www.wrap.org.uk/retail. Informal advice and copies of the Tender Invitation Document are available directly from WRAP’s Retail Innovation team, on 01295 819678.
*(The Prudential Soggy Lettuce Report, 2004)
WRAP is calling for new applications to its £8 million Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund – a programme to reduce food and packaging waste originating from the retail sector.
With the average consumer throwing away £424 worth of food every year*, WRAP is inviting all parts of the food supply chain to submit forward-thinking proposals to reduce this waste.
Money will be available to support research and development projects that have significant potential to reduce household food waste, focused in three broad areas: innovation within food and the food supply chain (such as new methods of harvesting, formulation and processing); innovation in packaging design and technology (such as improved reclosability and “freshness” indicators) and innovative in-home solutions (such preservation of shelf-life for loose /unpacked food and efficient food purchasing and use).
WRAP is particularly keen to hear from project teams working in areas related to fresh meat and fish, chilled meat and fish products, fresh and chilled fruit and vegetables, chilled ready meals, dairy products and bread and other bakery products. Applications are welcome from organisations across the supply chain, including producers, retailers, designers, brand owners and research institutes.
WRAP project manager, Andrew Parry, said: “Consumers throw away around six million tonnes of food every year – that’s the equivalent of around £420 worth of food wasted per person each year. As well as being a financial and resource drain, food waste in landfill makes a significant contribution to greenhouse gas production.
“Innovative thinking across the supply chain can help to maintain food freshness for longer, help customers to buy only as much as they need and let them know if their food is still fresh. We are looking for proposals that will advance the sector’s knowledge, while delivering significant reductions in food waste.”
Launched in November 2004, the Innovation Fund has already awarded over £5 million, and has approved over 30 projects, with the combined potential to save over half a million tonnes of resources.
Successful applicants for previous rounds of funding have included Coca-Cola, Argos, Asda, Tesco, Heinz, Coors, Co-op, B&Q, Marks & Spencer, Northern Foods and Iceland.
Submissions must be received by March 21st 2007, with projects anticipated to begin on or before June 1st 2007. More information and downloadable tender documents are available at www.wrap.org.uk/retail. Informal advice and copies of the Tender Invitation Document are available directly from WRAP’s Retail Innovation team, on 01295 819678.
*(The Prudential Soggy Lettuce Report, 2004)
Editor's notes:
- WRAP works in partnership to encourage and enable businesses and consumers to be more efficient in their use of materials and recycle more things more often. This helps to minimise landfill, reduce carbon emissions and improve our environment.
- Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by substantial Government funding from Defra and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Working in seven key areas (Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Organics, Business Growth, Behavioural Change, and Local Authority Support), WRAP’s work focuses on market development and support to drive forward recycling and materials resource efficiency within these sectors, as well as wider communications and awareness activities including the multi-media national Recycle Now campaign for England.
- More information on all of WRAP’s programmes can be found at www.wrap.org.uk
Richard Truman
Media Relations Manager
Pelican Public Relations Ltd OX16 0AH
Tel: 01457 820807
Fax: 01457 820824
rt@pelicanpr.co.uk
Media Relations Manager
Pelican Public Relations Ltd OX16 0AH
Tel: 01457 820807
Fax: 01457 820824
rt@pelicanpr.co.uk
