WATFORD, ENLGAND — Ninety food organizations, which include manufacturers, retailers, and trade groups, have committed to reducing food waste in the United Kingdom by 50% by 2030 through the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap (FWRR) initiative. 

Developed by IGD, a U.K.-based food research and training organization, and Wrap, a nonprofit that promotes sustainability, FWRR seeks to have 50% of the U.K.’s largest 250 food businesses decrease and track their food waste by 2019, with all 250 companies participating by 2026. 

Early signatories from the baking and snack industry include Kraft Heinz U.K., Nestle U.K. & Ireland, Premier Foods, Warburtons, Hovis and the Federation of Bakers. 

FWRR was developed to achieve U.K. policy objectives and targets on food waste reduction, including Courtauld 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. The initiative asks food companies to accomplish these goals by following three guidelines: target, measure and act. Under this strategy, businesses should set targets to reduce food waste across their own U.K. operations by 50% by 2030, consistently measure, track and report the results, and act in partnership with suppliers to help consumers reduce their food waste.

“The Food Waste Reduction Roadmap presents a huge opportunity for every business within the U.K. food and grocery industry to provide reassurance for shoppers,” said Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive, IGD. “U.K. shoppers see industry food waste at the top of their priorities and by working together with the total food chain, we’re delighted to have secured a world first, with the UK leading the way in this important area.”

WRAP will report results against the roadmap’s milestones in 2019, 2022 and 2026, with a final report in 2031. To learn more about the initiative, click here.