Two recent reports have highlighted the staggering financial and environmental cost of the UK’s food waste. New research from the Local Government Association (LGA) indicates that the cost of buying and landfilling good food reached £13.7 billion last year, or £520 per household in England. In response, the LGA has called on retailers to do more to prevent waste.
A joint report by WRAP and WWF, meanwhile, found that wasted food counts for six per cent of the UK’s water requirements (6.2 cubic metres, twice the annual household consumption) and three per cent of the UK’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions (14 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent).
WRAP Chief Executive Liz Goodwin commented: “The greenhouse gas emissions associated with food waste are greater than those already saved by the total amount of household recycling that takes place in the UK... We already know that by reducing food waste, householders can save money. Now, it’s absolutely clear that they can make a big contribution to addressing environmental concerns, too.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.