The Hospitality and Food Service Agreement (HFSA) could lead many companies operating in the sector to invest in new wrapping machinery capable of packaging their goods more resource-efficiently.
Under the terms outlined in the HFSA, companies throughout the hospitality sector – including outlets like pubs and restaurants – will attempt to cut their levels of waste by 5% by 2015.
This includes packaging from the foods they use, as well as the amount of otherwise edible food that is thrown away in eating establishments.
Recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion will also be employed more widely, in an attempt to raise the industry’s total use of those methods from 47% to 70% of all waste food and packaging.
Defra minister for environment Lord Taylor says: “These businesses and organisations will stop the equivalent of 100 million wasted meals going to the bin, and save themselves money – a win-win for everyone.”
For food manufacturers keen to cater for the necessary levels of resource efficiency, modern wrapping machinery that can use recyclable materials could be a good place to start, making that 70% figure easier to reach.
