Food firms pack progress

News Article - 23 May 2012
Category: Environment

British food and drink manufacturing firms have made significant progress towards their target of sending zero packaging waste to landfill, according to a new report produced by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

FDF members are currently recycling over 90 per cent of factory-generated food and packaging waste. In 2009, FDF members recovered or recycled 435,000 tonnes of waste at 149 sites whilst 43,000 tonnes, equal to 9 per cent of the total, was sent to landfill. This compares to 12.5 per cent in 2008.

In 2008 and 2009, manufacturing firms prevented 340,000 tonnes of food from entering the waste stream by diverting it to other uses, most notably animal food.

These figures suggest food and drink manufacturing firms are well-placed to meet the zero target, which has been set for 2015 and forms part of FDF's 'Five-Fold Environmental Ambition'. Other targets outlined by this commitment include a 30 per cent reduction in C02 emissions by 2020, compared to 1990 levels, and a 20 per cent reduction water usage by 2020, compared to levels in 2007.

Reducing transport miles has also been made a priority. The FDF has proposed to reduce the social and environmental impacts of food miles by 20 per cent by 2012 compared with 2002 levels.

"This is an excellent example of businesses taking the lead in developing effective, sustainable ways of managing their waste," said Lord Henley, parliamentary under-secretary for Defra.

The food and drink manufacturing industry has consistently led the way when it comes to sustainability. In January 2008 industry leaders made a commitment to reduce water usage by 20 per cent by 2020 compared to 2007 levels. As of 2010, a 5.6 per cent reduction has been achieved.

Access software allows firms to maximise profit margins and enhance supplier relationships in order to improve the overall financial standing of the company. The works order and production control module, for example, allows profitability reports to be run at any time to see where process improvements or pricing negotiations are required.

By doing this, companies are more able to invest in recycling or other eco-friendly facilities in a cost-effective way, allowing the business to stay at the forefront of the low-carbon economy.

For more information, please call Access on 0845 345 3300.

Article keywords: food and drink manufacturing firms, zero packaging waste, Food and Drink Federation, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Defra, FDF, Access software, works order and production control module

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