Iceland store

Industry plans to slash food waste received a boost today after Wrap announced a further 30 signatories to its Courtauld 2025 Commitment.

Boots UK and Iceland Foods added their names to the leading supermarkets already signed up to the agreement, which pledges to cut food and drink waste by 20% in the UK by 2025.

Suppliers inducing Burton’s Biscuit Company and Dairy Crest were also among the list of new names backing the commitment, which pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by the same date.

The agreement now has more than 150 backers on board, which Wrap said represented 95% of the 2016 UK food retail market, as well as many leading hospitality & foodservice companies.

“Building connections right across the supply chain makes Courtauld 2025 a powerful voluntary agreement and we are delighted with the desire for action shown from such a range of signatories,” said Wrap head of sustainable food David Moon. “Already we’ve set up a number of industry-led working groups that are meeting to address important issues. These range from water and waste to sustainable design and buying; to areas as diverse as fresh produce, meat protein, dairy, redistribution, and hospitality and foodservice.”

“Later this year we will introduce a reinvigorated Love Food Hate Waste campaign, working in partnership with these big names with the aim of delivering the step change that’s required to push forward the work on household food waste.”