Report

Wrap publishes new household waste report

Shaun Weston30 Mar 2010

The Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap) has published the results of a research project into waste arising in the supply of food and drink to households in the UK.

This builds on previous studies and recent data collected by Wrap to derive estimates of waste generated during key stages of the UK food and drink supply chain, as well as linking this with household waste.

It also identifies areas of greatest opportunity for cost savings, improved resource efficiency and future interventions.

Key findings

  • The total economic losses within the UK food and drink chain, from manufacturer through to retail and household, for food and drink and packaging solid wastes are estimated at £17bn per annum.
  • In the UK, at least 18.4m tonnes of waste is generated in the chain in 2008, from manufacture through distribution to retailer and onto households, on an annual basis. That’s the same weight as 1.9m double decker buses. In addition, 2.2m tonnes of by product is sent to animal feed from food and drink manufacturers.
  • The carbon impact of retail supply chain waste is around 10m tonnes per annum, equivalent to 3.4m cars (10%) on the road. The carbon impact of household waste is around 26m tonnes – equivalent to 9m cars (26%) on the road. (Based on a total of the 34,206,000 cars on the road in the UK as of 2008.) To avoid double counting of emissions, these two figures should not be added together. This excludes the carbon impact of by-​product going to animal feed from manufacturing.

UK food and drink – categories

These estimated figures are based on four focus areas of the supply chain:

  1. Manufacture (manufacturers of food and drink products for UK consumption – product and packaging waste).
  2. Distribution (national and regional distribution centres, wholesalers – product and packaging waste).
  3. Retail (supermarkets, convenience stores, traditional retailers – product and packaging waste).
  4. Household (food, drink and packaging waste).

It’s important to understand waste at all points in all four areas of the chain to identify the causes and solutions. This is because waste may arise at one point in the chain, but the solution might rest further up or downstream.

Estimated breakdown by manufacture

  • Manufacturing accounts for approximately one third (27%/5m tonnes) of the waste generated within the supply chain.
  • This represents an estimated £2.5b cost to the UK supply chain for food and drink and packaging solid wastes.
  • The estimated carbon impact for this sector is 7m tonnes of CO2e (by-​product, food waste & packaging).
  • While much has been done to drive down waste in this area, it remains an area for significant opportunity. For example, a change of approach from waste management to waste prevention.
  • In addition, manufacturing accounts for approximately 2.2m tonnes of by-​product which is going to animal feed. This has a cost of £1b per annum and a carbon impact of 3.7m tonnes.

Estimated breakdown by distribution

  • Distribution accounts for 0.5% (0.1m tonnes) of the waste generated within the supply chain.
  • This represents an estimated £0.11bn cost to the UK supply chain for food and drink and packaging solid wastes.
  • The estimated carbon impact for this sector is 0.2m tonnes of CO2e.

Estimated breakdown by retail

  • Retail accounts for 7.6% (1.5m tonnes) of the waste generated within the supply chain.
  • This represents an estimated £2.4bn cost to the UK supply chain for food and drink and packaging solid wastes.
  • The estimated carbon impact for this sector is 3m tonnes of CO2e.
  • Although retail makes up a relatively small share of total waste arising, it can help support resource efficiency throughout the supply chain. Recycling rates are high and there is scope for further waste prevention.

Estimated breakdown by household

  • Household waste accounts for more than half (64.7%/11.9m tonnes – packaging and food waste) of the waste generated within the chain.
  • This represents an estimated £12bn cost UK supply chain for food and drink wastes alone.
  • The estimated carbon impact for this sector is around 26m tonnes of CO2e for food and packaging waste.
  • There’s a significant opportunity to save money by making better use of the food that we buy, eg £480 a year per household, or up to £680 for a household with children.

Opportunities – top examples

When combined, household and manufacturing represent the greatest opportunity for efficiency that will deliver commercial as well as environment benefits. Here are examples of how those savings can be achieved:

  • Delivering sector change through initiatives such as Courtauld Commitment.
  • Focusing on waste prevention, rather than waste management, represents the greatest commercial and environmental opportunities.
  • Considering how surplus food or unavoidable waste can be redistributed, recycled or reused, for example surplus food could be redistributed through schemes such as FareShare or sent to anaerobic digestion.
  • Improving communications within between companies and between suppliers and customers can influence behaviour change to reduce food and packaging waste.
  • Improving forecasting in partnership with suppliers can reduce waste generated throughout the chain.
  • Reviewing specification of primary and secondary packaging and understanding the environmental impact of different choices.
  • Encouraging consumers to get involved with campaigns such as Love Food Hate Waste, to save money and make better use of the food they buy.

Richard Swannell, Wrap director of retail and organics: “Thinking needs to go beyond the boundary of an individual site or an individual company. An integrated approach through the chain could really help reduce costs and waste, resulting in more efficient management of resources from their point of production through to their point of consumption.

“Making these changes is challenging and achievable given the sector’s strong track record for innovation and implementing change. Focusing on the entire supply chain waste will deliver tangible commercial and environmental benefits – reducing costs, waste and greenhouse gas emissions.”

Source: Wrap

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