FDF launches environmental action plan

Members of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) have launched an action plan designed to have a positive impact on the environment. The plan includes a commitment to send no food packaging waste to landfill sites from 2015.

The five-point plan consists of collective commitments from members to: achieve a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2010 (as compared to 1990) and to aspire to a 30% reduction by 2020; make a reduction in the amount of packaging reaching consumers by 2010, in support of the work by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP); contribute to an industry-wide target to reduce water use by 20% by 2020 (as compared to 2007); and implement standards with transport contracts, to achieve fewer and less environmentally harmful food miles.

The FDF represents manufacturers and trade associations in the UK food and drink sectors. The initiative was been widely welcomed by the industry and environmental organisations.

Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Rt. Hon Hilary Benn MP, says: “The example set by the federation will, I hope, encourage others to follow in their footprints – carbon or otherwise. I look forward to seeing the FDF hit its targets and then setting new ones for further improvement.”