Food manufacturers have been lauded for their continued progress in cutting waste.

More than 90% of the food and packaging waste generated at factories operated by members of the Food & Drink Federation is now recycled or recovered, according to new figures published by the trade association and Defra.

The FDF said companies were on track to achieve the aim of sending no food or packaging waste to landfill by 2015, as outlined in its Five-fold Environmental Ambition plan.

From 481,000 tonnes of food and packaging waste produced across 149 sites in 2009, 435,000 tonnes were recovered or recycled, while 43,000 tonnes – equating to 9% - was sent to landfill.

By comparison, 16.5% of the same type of waste was sent to landfill in 2006 and 12.5% in 2008.

In 2008 and 2009, manufacturers prevented more than 340,000 tonnes of food from entering the waste stream by diverting it into uses such as animal feed.

“We welcome the progress FDF members have made towards their 2015 target,” said Defra under-secretary Lord Henley.

“This is an excellent example of businesses taking the lead in developing effective, sustainable ways of managing their waste.”

FDF sustainability director Andrew Kuyk added: “These findings demonstrate that FDF members are making a significant contribution to improving the environment, as well as supporting the work of the coalition government in its drive towards a zero-waste economy.”

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