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Stores in 'green update' meeting Retailers promise waste action
(about 6 hours later)
The UK's leading supermarkets are set to update the government on their efforts to cut packaging waste later. The UK's leading supermarkets have pledged to step up their efforts to cut packaging waste.
Environment minister Ben Bradshaw will meet retailers to assess progress on moves to increase recycling and use of degradable packaging materials. In a meeting with environment minister Ben Bradshaw, retailers agreed to look at ways of reducing food waste and making recycling information clearer.
Retailers have signed a commitment to cut waste, with Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's among others moving to make goods more environmentally friendly. Retailers have vowed to tackle waste, with Waitrose, Asda and Sainsbury's among others making specific commitments on reducing packaging.
An estimated 60% of all food packaging is now recycled, at a cost of £1.5bn.An estimated 60% of all food packaging is now recycled, at a cost of £1.5bn.
'Real improvement' 'Lead by example'
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Bradshaw said progress had been made on the issue but more needed to be done. Retailers gave ministers an update on the progress they had made in increasing recycling and the use of degradable packaging materials.
Mr Bradshaw said positive steps had been taken, but anti-waste initiatives needed to be "more visible" to consumers.
"Until the supermarkets demonstrate clearly that they are willing to lead by example, we cannot expect consumers to get fully engaged with reducing their own waste," he said.
One recycling expert said there needed to be greater emphasis on wasteful use of energy as well as greener packaging materials.One recycling expert said there needed to be greater emphasis on wasteful use of energy as well as greener packaging materials.
"We think for real environment improvement there needs to be a broader approach," said Jane Bickerstaffe, director for the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment."We think for real environment improvement there needs to be a broader approach," said Jane Bickerstaffe, director for the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment.
"We need to look at product wastage alongside packaging.""We need to look at product wastage alongside packaging."