Wrap has held its first meeting with the hospitality and foodservice sector as it looks to establish a voluntary agreement on waste similar to the Courtauld Commitment for retailers.

About 50 industry players were invited to a closed meeting in London last week, where they discussed the development of an agreement to cut packaging and food waste in foodservice. Wrap aims to have an agreement in place by next spring.

"Any successful voluntary agreement needs the commitment of industry, which is why we're always keen for sector players to engage with us to help shape a future agreement," said a Wrap spokesman.

"We will continue to build the evidence base and work closely with the sector to support change that delivers both business as well as financial benefits, and benefits to consumers using these outlets."

Research published in July by Wrap revealed that the industry produced 600,000 tonnes of food waste each year. It also estimated that 950,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions could be saved if the recyclable waste disposed of by the hospitality industry was recycled.

Brakes, named Green Wholesaler of the Year Award at this year's Grocer Gold Awards, said it supported Wrap's objective to focus more effort on food waste. "Brakes leads the foodservice industry through our partnership with FareShare, where we are on target to donate one million meal equivalents to those in need in 2011," said marketing director James Armitage.

Almost 50 leading grocery retailers and suppliers have signed up to the Courtauld Commitment since its launch in 2005, pledging to reduce packaging waste, contribute to the reduction of domestic food waste and develop waste reduction targets.

Under phase two, companies have pledged to cut the carbon impact of packaging by 10%, household food and drink waste by 4% and waste in the supply chain by 5%.