Businesses in the food and drink manufacturing sector could start to see the financial benefits of reducing the amount of organic waste they produce with the help of a new guide, produced by sustainable business experts Envirowise.
With 15-18 million tonnes1 of food waste produced in the UK each year, it is a growing problem for the sector as disposal costs rise and industry pressure to reduce waste by 15-20%2 increases.
Matthew Rowland-Jones, food and drink specialist at Envirowise, comments; "Our Organic Food Waste Guide is aimed at businesses of all sizes and gives advice on dealing with a range of different waste streams. With increasing commodity prices and the landfill tax currently at £32 per tonne, reducing waste is an area where significant amounts of money can be saved."
The guide suggests companies adopt a systematic approach to waste minimisation, and encourages businesses to consider ways of not producing waste in the first place .
After assessing all possible options for reducing and re-using waste, the guide advises on recycling options such as composting, which can help businesses reduce their landfill costs.
The Organic Food Waste Guide is available free of charge at www.envirowise.gov.uk/GG808 or by calling the Envirowise advice line on Tel: 0800 585794
1 Source: WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) sectors include: industrial, commercial and domestic
2 The Food Industry Sustainability Strategy challenges the food manufacturing industry to reduce its own waste by 15-20% by 2010
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Please contact: Graeme Jackson or Harriet Jones at Bray Leino PR
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Notes to Editors
About Envirowise
Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice.
Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.
Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Services include:
- The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794
- An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk) of valuable and relevant information
- Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions