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2. Retailers
It is estimated that approximately 500,000 tonnes of packaging and 500,000 tonnes of food waste are thrown out by Scottish households each year 4. The Scottish Executive is already supporting WRAP to work with retailers, and others, as part of the Courtauld Commitment (Annex A) to minimise packaging and food waste. As part of this, WRAP are working with retailers and brand-owners to develop packaging principles, guidelines and standards that include consideration of waste prevention and the use of recycled content in their packaging. WRAP is also providing training for the retail sector on waste prevention and are sharing information with retailers on issues such as "Best in Class" packaging weights and formats ( i.e. how moving to the most resource-efficient packaging already available can minimise waste, improve customer loyalty and save money).
The retailers have pledged their commitment at executive level to support WRAP in achieving its objectives which are:
- To design out packaging waste growth by 2008
- To deliver absolute reductions in packaging waste by March 2010
- To identify ways to tackle the problem of food waste
Building on this existing work we propose the following actions:-
Action 4: SE will continue to work with WRAP, SWAG and others to reduce the amount of food waste from Scottish households by 10,000 tonnes by 2008 and 15,000 tonnes by 2010. This will be done by:-
- Piloting a new consumer-facing food use / waste campaign, which raises awareness of the environmental and economic significance of food waste and provides practical advice to householders on how to avoid wasting the food that they buy
- developing smarter packaging which may enable food to be kept for longer or which is more appropriate for particular types of households - e.g. better portioning of food for single occupancy households
- working with retailers to develop alternative marketing approaches which will reduce the risk of food being wasted
- working with the Food Standards Agency to improve consumer understanding of food labels and, in particular, "best before" and "use by" dates
Action 5: SE will continue to work with WRAP, SWAG and others to reduce the amount of packaging waste from Scottish households by 8,000 tonnes by 2008 and 34,000 tonnes by 2010. This will be done by:-
- developing lighter weight packaging or reusable packaging
- explaining the purpose of packaging to enable households to recognise what represents excessive packaging
- developing improved systems for consumers to complain to retailers and Trading Standards about excess packaging
- considering, after carrying out further promotion of packaging regulations, whether further action is required
- developing improved packaging guidelines for adoption by retailers and their suppliers
N.B. If the Courtauld Commitment should not produce expected results SE will consider further legislative steps for Retailers in relation to food and packaging waste.
Although not strictly waste prevention, we will also monitor progress on reverse vending systems and deposit return schemes used to encourage reuse and recycling.
In addition we will ask the Scottish Retail Consortium to consider extending their annual Scottish Retail Excellence Awards to include a category on 'waste prevention'.
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