The Food and Drink Federation publishes Ambition 2025 Progress and Mid-Term Review reports
Food and drink companies beat CO2 reduction targets five years early, leading to new sustainability commitments in far reaching report.
The industry uses plastics and other packaging materials primarily to protect products across the supply chain and ensure they reach the consumer in a safe and optimal condition; packaging therefore also plays an important role in preventing food waste and contributing to the sustainability of the whole supply chain.
The FDF and its members acknowledge their share of responsibility for the impact of packaging on the environment, alongside our value chain partners and stakeholders. A key example is when packaging finds its way into the environment as litter rather than being disposed of responsibly and kept in the circular economy through recycling.
The FDF is a founding signatory of the UK Plastics Pact, bringing together the entire plastics value chain under one ambitious set of targets. We are fully committed to working with our value chain, Governments, and consumers on reform of the recycling system in the UK and to building a truly circular economy for food and drink packaging.
Updates & milestones
Date for return of the Environment Bill confirmed
It has been confirmed that the Environment Bill will return to Parliament on 26 May to finish Commons Report stages, before proceeding to the Lords.
Packaging consultations update
On 24 March the UK Governments published the following packaging consultations with a deadline for comment of 4 June 2021:
Packaging and packaging waste: introducing Extended Producer Responsibility
Introduction of a deposit return scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
The Consistency of Recycling Collections consultation (England only) will be published in due course, which Defra hope will be over the next few weeks.
We will be developing a project plan for responding to the consultations and sharing this with members shortly.
Ambition 2025 progress report and mid-term review published
On 24 February, the FDF launched our Ambition 2025 Mid-term Review and Ambition 2025 Progress Report 2020 which was supported by a series of member case studies.
As highlighted in this year’s progress report, there has been exceptional progress in some areas, including:
- 55% reduction in CO2 emissions, five years before the target was due to be reached.
- 41.5% reduction in absolute water consumption in 2019 and support for the Courtauld 2025 Water Ambition.
- Contributed to the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap.
- Continued to build relationships with key stakeholders and with UK governments including through engagement on various the Plastics tax; undertook advocacy on PRN cost crisis; supported the UK Plastics Pact; and launched new guidelines on using recycled content in plastic packaging applications.
- Promoted the fewer and friendlier miles agenda through FDF’s 10 Point Checklist.
- Updated and promoted the Sustainability Resource Hub.
- Promoted the FDF Natural Capital Awareness Document.
The FDF also published a press release, with supporting quote from Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow MP. The launch has been extensively covered across the trade media.
FDF Podcast – Sustainability: Plastic and Packaging Update
Catch up on Day One: Session Three of the FDF Convention discussing plastic tax, and if Coivd-19 has set back progress on reducing plastic use.
Available for listening on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music and all other major podcast platforms.
FDF Sustainable Packaging Initiative Award
Has your company made great progress in reducing your environmental impact by moving towards more sustainable packaging solutions?
Enter the FDF Awards - Sustainable Packaging Initiative category before 28 February 2021, for your chance to win. It’s completely free to enter
News
Industry launches new guidelines on including recycled content in packaging
Trade associations from across the UK food and drink supply chain have come together to publish a letter, calling on all Governments to ensure the continuation of critical imports and exports of food and drink at this critical time.
FDF's Budget Representation 2020
Our priorities include a focus on exports support, support for smaller businesses in relation to reformulation, energy and packaging.
Food and Drink Federation response to the introduction of the Environment Bill
FDF response to the Environment Bill.
Case studies
Macphie case study: Packaging
Macphie is reducing the amount of plastic used to package one of its core ranges by moving to primarily plant-based packaging. Working in partnership with Tetra Pak, the food manufacturer is packing its read-to-use dessert and sauce ranges into cartons made up of over 80% less plastic than the standard carton.
Border Biscuits Case Study: Packaging
Award-winning biscuit manufacturer Border Biscuits has highlighted its commitment to improving the environmental impact of the business by removing 90% of plastic from packaging as part of a wider £1.6 million investment into its products and processes.
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Related topics
Environmental sustainability
The FDF is committed to creating a thriving and sustainable UK food and drink industry that acts responsibly for the benefit of society and the environment.
Ambition 2025
Ambition 2025 sets out the FDF's vision for a thriving, responsible and sustainable UK food and drink industry.
Report: FDF’s Ambition 2025 – Shaping Sustainable Value Chains
13 October 2016
The FDF's 'Ambition 2025 - Shaping Sustainable Value Chains' builds on the success of our Five-Fold Environmental Ambition and is the next step on our journey to help deliver a more sustainable food system.
Read moreGuidance: Industry narrative on packaging and plastics
07 August 2019
The Industry Narrative sets forth our position on packaging and plastics: it acknowledges their environmental impact, states their functions, identifies factors in choice of materials and in making changes to the packaging system, lists our engagement with stakeholders on the issues, and calls for necessary support from Government.
Read more